Construction work has started today to green the North Valley Road Shopping Centre in Highton to make it a more attractive place to visit for shoppers, workers and traders.
Following a second round of engagement between March and May on a draft concept plan, local company BC Garden Construction will replant existing garden beds, create new beds and plant more trees. A diverse range of indigenous understorey plants have been selected.
Our Have Your Say page received 590 visitors and 48 pieces of feedback, with community members supportive of a greening project overall.
However, a proposal to plant trees in the centre of the road to calm traffic and increase canopy cover has been replaced with increased plantings in garden beds due to concerns about traffic and parking impacts.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The North Valley Road Shopping Centre was in need of a makeover following a small street upgrade 12 years ago.
On behalf of the Council, I thank the community members and traders who shared their ideas and had their say on the draft concept plans.
The City team has listened to feedback about tree plantings and found a solution that will contribute towards creating a healthy environment and vital shopping centre.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken
Council had put forward a $50,000 budget to make the greening project a reality.
Providing more plants and trees in this popular shopping strip on North Valley and Mount Pleasant roads reflects Council’s commitment to increasing greenery and improving the liveability of our surroundings.
We anticipate the plantings will attract native important seasonal pollinators to the site, while ensuring the space is more appealing to the community.
The work zone is barricaded to protect pedestrians and ensure they can safely visit businesses at all times. Traffic management is in place as required.
Planting is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
