Maldon Streetscape Revitalisation Project

This design phase involved both the undergrounding of power and civil works to improve sections of the footpaths, road and drainage on High and Main Streets. Ian addition to these much needed civil works, landscape improvements were also incorporated into the design to ensure a holistic, high quality outcome for the streetscape. The design was delivered in three main milestones – concept design, schematic design and detailed design.

Some of the proposed benefits of this project included:

• Better facilities for businesses, customers, parking and pedestrian access.
• Improved amenity and appearance of the town centre to attract potential visitors, residents and new businesses.
• Increase in capital value of buildings through conservation of heritage fabric.
• Greater ability to attract and retain tenants.
• Improved safety from bushfire, severe weather or overhead powerline faults.
• Removal of any future requirement to upgrade to new concrete power poles.
• Upgraded power supply capacity to reduce outages.
• Better facilities for events to showcase Maldon.
• Long term preservation and improvements to the street tree canopy.

Design considerations

A design consultant, Infrastructure Solutions, was appointed to complete the civil design of High Street and Main Street. The design was based on the concepts and themes outlined within the Maldon Town Centre Streetscape Plan.

The Infrastructure Solutions design consultant team was assisted by Urban Initiatives (Landscape Architect), Heritage Alliance (Heritage Consultant) and Webb Australia (Lighting Consultant). Powercor undertook the detailed design related to undergrounding power in parallel with the civil design.

The development of the project business case, funded by Council and Regional Development Victoria, led to the announcement in May 2020 by the Victorian State Government of a $4.5M funding contribution towards the project.

The Streetscape Steering Group (comprising the Ward councillor, Council CEO, local business operators, landowners, Maldon Neighbourhood house, Maldon Inc., Maldon Focus and Maldon Community Bank) met periodically to discuss matters related to all aspects of the project. The Concept Designs were presented to this group in February 2020 and feedback was been received and was generally incorporated into the comments below.

Overview of feedback on designs

Around 60 community members provided feedback on the detailed designs. See an overview of their feedback below or read the advertisemen(PDF, 278KB)t published in the Tarrangower Times on Friday 21 August 2020.

Lighting

• Limited lighting is atmospheric and in keeping with gold rush towns.
• Bright pedestrian crossing floodlights would diminish the charm of the streetscape.
• Don’t think lights are necessary, particularly LEDs.
• Any lighting at the crossings would be an eyesore.

Street furniture

• Bins and hoop bike racks are not suitable.
• Don’t change the seats.
• The seats need to be raised to be usable by all ages.
• Don’t introduce too many new elements.

Trees and vegetation

• Don’t remove older trees.
• Extend the useful life of all the street trees through ongoing care and pruning.
• Consider using native trees.
• Remove the peppercorn trees in High Street opposite the Kangaroo Hotel and plant a more suitable variety.

Pedestrian crossing

• The proposed crossings do not meet with heritage values of the town.
• The High Street crossing is in a poor location. It is difficult to judge traffic and pedestrian movement at that point.
• Proposed crossing at the start of Main Street and the crossover near Maldon Hotel are great.
• Keep the kerb extensions simple.
• No traffic lights please - use other means to slow traffic down.

Tree and kerb outstands

• Tree outstands should only be located on the intersection of High Street and Main Street.
• They will decrease the number of parking spaces and will have a negative impact of the street.
• May make streets more difficult to access by larger agricultural vehicles and discourage visitors to the town.
• Don’t want to compromise the views of historic buildings.
• Alternative subtle treatments for tree outstands should be investigated.
• Bookending certain sections of the street downplays the importance of all businesses in town.
• Kerb outstands do not enhance Maldon’s historic character.