Liberal Legislative Council member John Dawkins and Gawler Mayor Karen Redman officially opened the redeveloped Walker Place precinct on Monday afternoon. PHOTO: Sam Bradbrook
GAWLER Mayor Karen Redman has defended the recently-completed redevelopment of Walker Place, after a mixed response to the upgrades online.
The space was officially opened on Monday afternoon after being open as a thoroughfare for cars and pedestrians since mid-July.
Walker Place businesses owners have been supportive of the improvements, despite access to the area restricted during the six months of construction.
A Bunyip Facebook poll though showed 71 per cent of the 505 respondents failed to be impressed by the revamp.
Many comments centred on the use of the area as a vehicle thoroughfare and carpark, with some saying it should have been closed to traffic entirely.
“I have said this repeatedly, cars should be banned from this precinct,” Facebook user Diana Docherty commented. “It should be a dedicated pedestrian zone/hub.
“The ongoing maintenance of fixing damage from cars will cost thousands each year,” another user, Daniel Hough, wrote. “Somebody already backed into a pole in the first couple days.”
Keeping the area open to vehicles was a condition of nearby business owners who wanted shoppers to still have close carparks to their premises.
In response to these detractors, Ms Redman said if they visited the area, they would enjoy the space.
“I think sometimes it’s so easy to make a comment on Facebook,” she said. “Whenever you make a decision you’re going to upset at least one person.
“We could choose to do nothing, or we could choose to invest in our town.
“I really hope those people come down and enjoy it. I’m sure they will once they see what we’ve done.”
Some Facebook commenters were positive about the area and the upgrade, but thought more should be done to capitalise on council’s investment.
“I think it looks great, just need to find a way to promote the area and have people linger there,” Facebook user Sue McRae wrote. “Anyone thought of some food vans/pop up eateries?”
“I like it but some additional shade/shelter would be nice and no car parking would have been perfect,” commenter Neil Gallagher wrote. “A missed opportunity it seems.”
