May 11, 2015
Another stage of the Nanango streetscaping project was completed on Monday when South Burnett Regional Council outdoor staff finished painting angled car parking bays in Drayton Street, between Henry and Fitzroy streets.
Since workmen demolished the old central flower beds on April 24, they have installed a narrower central island planted with trees and lomandra in the same area.
More than a dozen extra central car parks have been painted in Fitzroy Street south of Drayton Street; and workmen have begun additional tree planting and narrowing of the islands between Fitzroy Street and Howlett Lane.
After these islands have been completed, angled car parking will also be installed in this section.
Extra edge islands are still to be built near the proposed roundabout, and these will be completed in conjunction with an al fresco dining area in coming weeks.
The next stage of tree planting, installation of narrow islands and angled parking will be from Howletts Lane up to Gipps Street.
This work will incorporate the installation of town entry signs and banner poles near Gipps Street, similar to those already erected in Henry Street.
Cr Barry Green said he was pleased with the way the project was progressing, and had also received positive feedback from many residents.
“One issue about this project that’s never been properly aired – and I think it should be – is how it will improve safety in Nanango’s CBD,” Cr Green said.
He said Nanango was one of the few towns in Queensland that has its main street (Drayton Street) running east to west.
This meant that drivers could find themselves driving directly into the sun, especially at sunset.
“That’s dangerous at any time, but especially so when it’s combined with the old central parking bays this project has taken out of Drayton Street.
“Over the years I’ve seen a lot of people reverse in or out of the central parking bays, and that’s not safe when you’re downhill on a major highway that can get sun-blighted,” he said.
“I’ve also seen parents park in the old bays, open the door to let their kids out, and see the child immediately run across the road to the shops.
“We’re just lucky we never had a fatality from something like that.”
Cr Green said concerns some residents had expressed about backing out safely from the new angled parking bays were understandable, but should disappear once they became accustomed to them.
One thing that will help is that the temporary 40km/h speed limit imposed on Drayton Street while the upgrade works are being carried out will become permanent once the job has been completed.
“A big aim of this project is to calm traffic through the CBD and make things safer for drivers and pedestrians,” Cr Green said.
“The new Fitzroy Street roundabout and the build-outs along the street will definitely slow things down, and so will the lower speed limit.
“That should make reversing out of the angled car parks a lot less of a problem than would otherwise be the case.”
Cr Green said the project was still on target to meet its September completion deadline, and may even come in a bit earlier if works crews didn’t encounter any more unforeseen problems.
“Our staff have been trying as hard as possible to minimise disruption to traders and shoppers, and we’ll continue doing that until the work is done,” he said.
“We promised Nanango traders we’d do this back at a public consultation meeting we held with them in February, and we’re sticking to it.”
Related articles:
- CBD Streetscaping Work Begins
- Petition Handed To CEO
- S-BRAG Calls For Immediate Halt To Nanango Upgrades
- New Look For Fitzroy Street
- Fruit Shop Termites Upset The Applecart
- Upgrade For Fitzroy St Crossings
- Drayton Street Upgrade Starts Soon
- Bus Stop On The Move
- Henry Street Ready By Christmas
- Drayton Street Redesign Planned
- New Angle On Nanango Parking Woes
- Nanango Lights The Way
- Nanango Streetscaping Finished By Year’s End
- Nanango’s New Trees ‘Doing Fine’
- Plum Job Ahead For Highway
- Petition Launched To Save Trees
- Meet The Future Face Of Nanango
