Works are set to commence this week along Drouin's Commercial Place shopping and service precinct to improve safety, accessibility and revitalise the area.
Overall, the $1.1 million project will refresh ageing areas along Commercial Place (between Hope Street and Bank Place) and extend into the three adjoining laneways that lead to Princes Way.
Works will also bring existing infrastructure into alignment with modern accessibility and safety standards and codes.
Stage 1 works are set to commence this week and are expected to take five weeks to complete.
Initial works focus on the eastern section of the area and include renewal of the footpath along Commercial Place, renewal of kerb and channel, line marking in the upper carpark, construction of new garden beds, and preliminary works for upgraded carpark lighting.
Access to Commercial Place will be available via Hope Street or the Young Street service road only. Commercial Place will not be accessible via Bank Place however Bank Place will be open to access remaining open parking spaces in the car park.
To accommodate works, there will be a partial closure of the upper carpark during the construction period, however limited parking will remain available to accommodate shoppers and those with appointments in surrounding clinics.
Alternate parking can be accessed along the Young Street service road, Bank Place, or Drouin Railway Station.
Pedestrian access to all shops will remain open throughout the works. If alternative pedestrian access from Princes Way is unavailable due to any of the works underway, access will be maintained from Commercial Place to local businesses.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Kate Wilson expressed her appreciation for the community's cooperation while Council works to improve the area.
"I want to sincerely thank the community for their patience and understanding as we get these important improvement works underway," said Cr Wilson.
"We understand that any project in a busy area comes with inconvenience and disruption. Your support ensures we can deliver a safer, more accessible and more vibrant precinct for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
"We want to reassure the community that every effort will be made to minimise impacts where possible, with the goal of reopening carparks and access points as quickly as possible.
"With your support, we look forward to delivering a safer, more efficient traffic layout with improved parking access, upgraded pedestrian areas, and a precinct that better supports local businesses and daily life."
Stage 2 of this project will commence in 2026 with a focus on Festival Lane and the middle section of Commercial Place.
