New Town Retail Precinct Upgrade

Bulletin #2 - December 2017

Welcome to the second bulletin for the New Town Retail Precinct streetscape upgrade.  In our first bulletin in September, we reported the results of the ‘Issues and Vision’ stage of community engagement.  The findings of the survey and the community workshop gave the project team a clearer understanding of the community’s priorities and aspirations for revitalising the New Town Road precinct.

Directions and Options Stage – the Project Action Team

Since September, we’ve been working with a group of about 20 community members including residents and business people - the New Town Project Action Team (PAT).  PAT members have attended 4 workshops and contributed 20 hours of their time to consider background material and define shared objectives for the project.  At the final workshop on 11 November, PAT members collaboratively developed 30 recommendations for the Council to consider when designing the street upgrade.  These recommendations were prioritised, and the highest priorities were then presented to Hobart’s Aldermen by representatives of the PAT at a workshop on 22 November. 

Reporting

A report will now be considered by the City Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday 6 December, and then by the full Council at its meeting on 18 December.  You can view this report which outlines the process and includes the PAT’s recommendations as an attachment – follow the link below, the report is item 6.1:   http://hobart.infocouncil.biz/Open/2017/12/CI_06122017_AGN_864_AT_WEB.htm

In addition, the background information which was considered by the PAT can be viewed on the project’s webpage at:   https://yoursay.hobartcity.com.au/newtownprecinct

Next Steps

In the coming months, the design team will prepare a draft streetscape plan in response to the PAT’s recommendations. This will be available for public consultation in March 2018. 

A report of this consultation will be provided to the Council in April / May 2018, with detailed design occurring later in 2018.  Construction is planned to commence in early 2019.

Although the construction phase for the streetscape upgrade is a little over a year away, there will be changes to the Cross Street and New Town Road intersection in the shorter term.  This will include line-marking in New Town Road, and removing three car parking spaces adjacent to Lebrina, to provide a right turning slot for vehicles turning right into Cross Street from New Town Road (in both directions).  This project has been funded by the Federal government’s Black Spot road safety program

Other Happenings – Public Art

A public art project will be occurring in parallel with the streetscape design.  The aim of this project is to contribute to the reinvigoration of this community retail precinct with the addition of public art that is integrated, engaging and enduring.  These elements will offer an opportunity to recognise and communicate the unique identity of New Town.  Expressions of interest are now being sought from artists, craft practitioners, designers and collaborative teams to create a series of public art elements for the project.  All the details are here:   https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Community/Arts-and-culture/Public-art/Current-opportunities

Please feel free to forward this email to friends or neighbours who you think might like to be kept informed about the project.