WORKS on the Virginia Main Street Upgrade Project will begin early next year, after funding was locked-in to underground the main street’s power lines.
At a Strategic Planning Committee meeting last Tuesday, Playford Council endorsed contributing $877,404 to the $2.6 million project after receiving notice from the Power Lines Environment Committee that its funding application to revamp the town’s centre had been approved.
Works will start between January and July next year and will be undertaken by SA Power Networks. Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said he was pleased to finalise a start time for the main street upgrade.
“Virginia residents will be excited to know that this funding means we can start the upgrade of Virginia’s main street in earnest,” he said.
“Removing the power lines will have an immediate impact on the town’s beautification, giving it a fresh outlook as we prepare for the upgrade’s next stages.
“We’re looking forward to beginning an extensive community engagement phase that will start in August and hope Virginia residents will get right behind us in helping to shape their town’s future.”
Public consultation for the remaining works to design and deliver street-scaping is set to open in August.
According to Playford Council, the project will see the Virginia Main Street upgraded from “roughly” the Virginia Oval entrance to the Sheedy/Penfield Street intersection.
The upgrades will include additional, safer pedestrian crossings; upgraded street paving; street furniture; improved street lighting; new town entrance statements; and public wi-fi.
The project was included in the council’s 2018/19 Annual Business Plan and Budget, but faced difficulty gaining State or Federal Government funding.
Playford councillors voted to recommit to the project in April, after they were advised by staff it would be beneficial for funding opportunities in the wake of November’s council elections.