Public Art Fence rises, underpass gets set for upgrade
25 January 2007
Activity on Doncaster Hill is moving forward after the commencement of construction at Westfield.
Work is underway on the Doncaster Hill Public Art Fence and boulevard, and plans to upgrade the pedestrian underpass have also received funding from the State Government. These projects are part of Council’s efforts to improve pedestrian accessibility on Doncaster Hill and create appealing public open spaces.
The Doncaster Hill Public Art Fence, on the Doncaster Road frontage of Doncaster Primary School and the Old Shire Hall, is going up behind the existing brown brick wall, which will be removed in coming weeks.
Doncaster Hill boulevard treatment works and associated pedestrian lighting, signage, drainage and landscape works will then be undertaken, utilising Water Sensitive Urban Design techniques and drought-tolerant planting.
This project has been jointly funded by the State Government, through a $235,000 Creating Better Places grant, and Manningham City Council.
Plans to improve to the pedestrian underpass between Doncaster Primary School and 682 Doncaster Road also received funding recently from the State Government, under its Local Area Access Program (LAAP). The upgraded underpass will provide continuity to the completed boulevard treatment and be a brighter, safer and more attractive space that will encourage greater usage.
The $15,000 grant offered by the State Government will be matched by Council to fund Stage 1 of the Doncaster Hill Boulevard Pedestrian Underpass project, which will involve:
- appointing a Steering Committee;
- engaging in preliminary consultation with key stakeholders;
- developing a detailed project brief for endorsement by Steering Committee;
- calling for expressions of interest for design work of the underpass;
- appointing an artist/designer to develop the concept; and
- preparing conceptual designs for the underpass wall treatment lighting, canopy, signage and communication panels.
Stage 1 forms part of a wider application for funding which will allow completion of underpass works by mid-2008, with costs split between Council and the Department of Infrastructure through LAAP.
