Barker Street and Bagshaw Street Harcourt Road Design

Mount Alexander Shire Council is progressing the Road Design Project for Barker Street and Bagshaw Street in Harcourt. This project is design‑only, with detailed design scheduled for completion by June 2026.

Following a competitive tender process, Council has awarded the design contract to FMG Engineering, who will undertake the full suite of investigations, surveys and engineering design work. These designs will inform future budgets and capital works programs.

The construction of the remaining unsealed sections of Barker Street and Bagshaw Street has been submitted as part of Council’s 2026–2027 budget bids. Funding outcomes will be confirmed at the Council Meeting on 16 June.

Once the detailed design plans are finalised, they will be made available on Council’s website for the community to view.

The project is located in Harcourt, a growing township within Mount Alexander Shire, approximately 8.5 km north‑east of Castlemaine. The design covers:

• Barker Street — between Bagshaw Street and Market Street, and the northern section between Market Street and the road end.
• Bagshaw Street — between Harmony Way and 10 metres east of 42 Bagshaw Street.

Both streets are currently unsealed local roads with open swale drains, varying vegetation, and increasing traffic volumes due to residential development in Harcourt.

FMG Engineering will prepare detailed plans that respond to the specific conditions of each road segment, including gravel pavements, open drains, vegetation, and increasing traffic volumes associated with Harcourt’s growth.

Key design considerations include:

• Geotechnical investigation — assessing pavement strength and subgrade conditions through DCP testing and pavement dipping to determine appropriate pavement structure.
• Pavement and road layout design — developing a full‑width 6.2m sealed road with 1.5m shoulders and swale drains, consistent with IDM requirements for low‑density residential collector roads.
• Intersection design — upgrading key intersections at Barker/Market, Barker/Wright, Barker/Bagshaw, Bagshaw/Harmony Way, Bagshaw/Buckley and Bagshaw/Barker to ensure safe turning movements for buses, service vehicles and local traffic.
• Drainage design — improving stormwater management through underground drainage (10% AEP) and overland flow paths (1% AEP), while integrating existing swale drains where appropriate.
• Footpath design — providing a 1.5m asphalt footpath along the western side of Barker Street and the northern side of Bagshaw Street, with alignment chosen to minimise impacts on existing vegetation.
• Vegetation and environmental considerations — assessing trees within the road reserve and identifying any removals or protection measures required during future construction.

The detailed design package will provide Council with a construction‑ready set of documents that support future capital works planning. These outcomes will help ensure Harcourt’s road network can safely accommodate current and future growth.

Expected outcomes include:

• Construction‑ready road designs Comprehensive plans for pavement, drainage, intersections, footpaths and signage that meet IDM and engineering standards.
• Improved drainage performance Designs that address stormwater capacity, overland flow paths and long‑term pavement resilience.
• Safer intersections Treatments for Barker/Market, Barker/Wright, Barker/Bagshaw, Bagshaw/Harmony Way, Bagshaw/Buckley and Bagshaw/Barker.
• Pedestrian‑friendly footpaths A continuous 1.5m asphalt footpath along both streets to improve walkability and safety.
• Future‑proofed infrastructure planning Designs that support Harcourt’s growing residential development and increased traffic volumes.

Accurate service and vegetation mapping Ensuring construction impacts are understood and minimised.

The project is currently in the detailed design phase, which includes technical investigations, surveying, environmental assessments and engineering modelling, with final designs due by June 2026.

In parallel, Council has submitted the construction component for consideration in the 2026–2027 budget. Funding outcomes will be known after the 16 June Council Meeting.

Once the 2026–2027 Budget is formally adopted:

• The approved Budget will be published on Shape Mount Alexander.
• If funding is approved for the construction of Barker Street and Bagshaw Street, the project will progress to procurement and construction planning.
• If funding is not approved, the completed designs will remain ready for future budget cycles.
• Final design plans will be uploaded to Council’s website for community access.