East Gippsland Shire Council is considering opening Bairnsdale’s Nicholson Street Mall to traffic, with a
low-speed shared zone an option.
A shared zone, which would prioritise pedestrians and include vehicle access, is consistent with successful
precedents elsewhere and can play a part in supporting business, increasing activation of the Mall. It would
increase passive surveillance and contribute to improved safety outcomes. This could include the
completion of design for the eastern end of Nicholson Street.
Reinstating the road altogether is also an option.
Retaining civic space in the mall to support business and temporary or programmed activations is also an
important consideration.
Chief Executive Officer Fiona Weigall said Council has been actively working on addressing the challenges
and opportunities in the Mall with traders, the chamber of commerce and Victoria Police.
“At a meeting last week with a small group of trader representatives and Victoria Police, an independent
summary report of the mall area, including historical context, problems, opportunities and options was
shared with the group. One of those options was reconfiguring the mall to include a shared use zone,” Ms
Weigall said.
“Introducing a shared pedestrian and vehicle zone is not a single fix. It’s an option as part of a broader plan
to drive revitalisation and investment, with a goal to improve safety, reactivate the area, and encourage
investment.
“Shared use access has the potential to encourage adjoining businesses and building owners to improve
engagement with the Mall through active frontages, improved presentation, outdoor trading opportunities,
temporary uses and façade improvements.”
Any decision to progress with works will require community consultation on options, and budget allocation
and funding support.
“We will continue to keep the community updated on next steps,” Ms Weigall said.
The Mall was developed in the early 1980s and redeveloped in 2014 with the introduction of the taxi rank to
the east and reconfiguration of car parking between Service and Bailey streets.
To help leverage government funding opportunities to support a revitalisation of the area, Council was
paying a small contribution towards the holding costs (not an ongoing lease arrangement) on the former
Woolworths building last year.
“With these opportunities unsuccessful, and with the need to revitalise the area in the short to medium term,
we have been progressing this work. Likewise, the building owner is also looking to attract a tenant/s,” Ms
Weigall said.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the owner of the former Woolworths building and their commitment to a
shared vision to revitalise the area. We will continue to work proactively together to revitalise the precinct.
“Council will also continue to pursue funding opportunities to revitalise the area in the short, medium and
longer term, and we look forward to continuing conversations with our elected representatives and State
Election candidates to seek support for this project.”
Taxi rank location options, closing the public toilet, vegetation and other amenity management strategies,
and short-term activation and events will continue throughout the design process.
Antisocial behaviour in public spaces is increasing across Victoria, and this behaviour is not isolated to the
Mall. If anyone experiences activity in the mall area or anywhere else that involves unlawful or dangerous
behaviour please refer the matter immediately to Victoria Police on 000 (for emergencies) or 131 444 for
non-urgent assistance.
