EXTERNAL funding has been secured for the $2.6 million revamp of the Virginia Main Street, two years after Playford Council first committed to the project.

On Monday, the State Planning Commission announced it would grant the council $2.6 million to kick-start the project, with Playford to contribute $3.6 million, bringing the money spent on the town to $6.2 million.

Also included in the project cost is an upgrade to the Virginia Institute Park, updated town entrance statements and ongoing maintenance costs, which were originally not to be included in the main street project value.

Works have already begun in Virginia to underground the main street’s power lines, with the new upgrade works set to begin in December.

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty welcomed the funding.

“City of Playford is happy with the announcement of over $2.6 million dollars by the State Government towards the Virginia Main Street Project,” he said.

“This funding from the government assists with the upgrade of the Institute Park and entry statements to the Main Street.

“This project has been shaped by the local community through significant engagement activities. Council is due over the coming weeks to make some final decisions on the design of the project.

“Virginia is a fast growing community and it is good to see the State Government investing in a project in a growth area.”

Final designs were tabled to elected members at a Strategic Planning Committee meeting held last night – after The Bunyip’s print deadline.

The upgrade is set to include a 3.9-metre shared path for walking and cycling along the main street, wider on-street parking bays, the removal of problematic trees and planning of new foliage.

Playford Council first committed to the project in its 2018/19 Annual Business Plan and budget, but two rejected external funding attempts stalled the upgrade.

Included with the details was a summary of more than 500 responses to more than eight months of public consultation held over two separate stages.

According to the report, of 81 feedback forms received, 68 per cent supported the draft concept, while 98 per cent of the 51 respondents who attended two public exhibitions of the draft plans endorsed the plans.

Some concerns raised centred on the loss of on-street parking, with the designs tabled last night incorporating 24-25 car spaces, five or six fewer than currently incorporated into the main street.

According to the report, the formalisation of car parking in other areas across the town and utilisation of bus zones outside of service times would address the issue.

“The Virginia town centre has ample car parking, with over 400 private off-street spaces, in addition to the Institute Park car parking provision and on-street car parking opportunities,” the report read.

Other concerns included the width of the road for trucks and footpath connections from adjoining roads.