The South-West tourism town of Margaret River today celebrated the completion of its upgraded main street with Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan joining the community to officially mark the end of the redevelopment project.
The result of the Margaret River Main Street Makeover is a more attractive, welcoming and accessible town centre that furthers Margaret River's appeal as a place to live and visit, helping to build its appeal as a popular destination.
A festival precinct on Fearn Avenue that provides a space for people to come together is a centrepiece of the new-look main street.
Other key features include the replacement of the underground stormwater system, three new roundabouts to improve traffic flow and safety at intersections, nine crossing points to improve pedestrian safety and walkability, and wider footpaths to enhance the pedestrian experience.
A cycle lane on the east side of the main street, outdoor seating areas incorporating modern street furniture, landscaping and streetlighting have also helped to create a world-class precinct.
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River-led Margaret River Main Street Makeover project was delivered by South-West based company BCP Contractors, with local businesses engaged in the delivery of the transformation.
More than 95 per cent of the project value was delivered by South-West businesses, with almost half of these being Shire-based businesses. Almost half the workforce were local residents within the Shire, and new traineeships were created.
The Margaret River Main Street Makeover began in February 2020. In July 2020, the McGowan Government allocated funding towards the third and final stage as part of efforts to recover the economy from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This allowed the project to be delivered in one go, without the need to cause another period of disruption in the future if works were to be carried out at a later date.
The delivery of the main street follows the completion of the Margaret River Perimeter Road in 2019, which provided an alternative route for traffic without needing to travel through the town site. The new road also made it possible for work to begin on activating the town's main street through the Margaret River Main Street Makeover.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Margaret River has long been a great place to live and visit - and the upgraded main street makes it an even better place to spend time.
"The Margaret River main street, together with the Margaret River Perimeter Road, has transformed the town centre for both locals and visitors.
"We committed funding to fast-track the third and final stage to create local work opportunities - and this project has been a real local content success story
"Locals who have worked on the Main Street Makeover can be proud of being part of a project that has significantly improved the town they live in and which will produce ongoing benefits."
