Plans to bring community vision for town centres to life

Published 16th November 2022

Detailed design plans are being developed for three key projects in the town centres of both Penola and Millicent.

Design consultants Sproutt will be in the region for a week commencing 21 November, making preliminary investigations to inform the detailed design of the town centre streetscape projects for both Penola and Millicent.

This is the next step in a process that began back in 2018, when Wattle Range Council committed funds to enhance both town centres, improving amenity whilst preserving character, encouraging opportunities for economic development and promoting places for people.

WAX Design were then engaged to come up with a concept design. Council’s CEO Ben Gower explains the concept design process: “In engaging with the community through workshops and surveys, WAX were able to better understand their priorities, as well as reflecting on any ideas, aspirations, issues and opportunities raised. This community feedback played an integral part in the development of the final concepts.”

“A total of thirteen projects were identified by WAX in the Town Centre Concept Designs, and the first three of those have been selected by Council to be progressed to a detailed design phase:

Penola: Town Entry
Penola: Riddoch Street
Millicent: Town Park & Stuckey Street (Glen Street)

“The projects selected were seen to have the highest level of economic, social and environmental benefit to Penola and Millicent. The design brief is to protect and enhance the unique character of the town centres whilst encouraging activation,” Mr Gower added.

Whilst in the region this week, Sproutt representatives will be visiting the proposed sites, as well as meeting with key stakeholders, including impacted traders/business owners, cultural representatives and disability advocates.

“Preliminary designs will be provided to Council in March next year, at which time further conversations with stakeholders will occur, with the final designs for tender expected to be ready in June 2023.”

“The deliberately staged approach to these rejuvenation projects will enable Council to leverage both internal and external funding, in order to successfully bring the community's vision to life,” Mr Gower said.

Further information on this project, it’s background and where to from here, is available on Council’s website at www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au/our-council/major-project-updates-town-centre-streetscaping