Margaret River Main Street Makeover

With 98% of total expenditure being delivered by local and South West WA based businesses, this really is a local project supporting the local and regional economy in tough times. As at the end of March, 43% of expenditure has been spent locally in the form of direct employment with BCP and SJ Traffic plus engaged local subcontractors and suppliers. The remaining 55% is being delivered by South West WA based businesses.

Plans to fast track Margaret River’s Main Street Makeover are underway in an effort to minimise future disruption to Main Street traders and support continued economic activity.

Shire of Augusta Margaret River Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Addison-Brown today announced Stage 2 works currently planned for September would commence on completion of Stage 1 in May/June this year.

“Looking ahead the Shire is working hard with contractors, BCP to finalise plans,” she said.

“We have made this decision to take advantage of the unplanned shutdown of the town as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Federal and State government restrictions in place to manage the spread.

“Once we come out the other side of this pandemic, we want to support business owners and traders on the Main Street, and minimise further disruption time caused by the works.

“Continuing the works will also support ongoing employment for the many local subcontractors working on the job, which in turn supports their families and the local economy, “she said.

Ms Addison Brown said the Shire was working with both the State and Federal governments to seek to secure the necessary funding to deliver Stage 3 of the project.

“Stage 3 of the works, from Willmott Avenue up to the Wallcliffe Road intersection is currently unfunded.

“We are seeking funding to ensure completion of these capital works, immediately after the completion of Stage 2 if at all possible.

“If successful this will enable the whole project to be completed this year and support Margaret River and the wider region get back on its feet post pandemic.

Works are progressing well at the north entrance to town, with the contractor now moving south to install large pits and pipes at the Churchill Ave / Tunbridge St intersection.

This will require the full closure of the Churchill intersection to all traffic to allow for safe construction to commence as of Friday 20 March 2020. The left turn into the Main Street via Churchill Ave will be closed.

The Shire is looking at providing cul de sac arrangements to north and south of this intersection as soon as possible to facilitate easier access to shops near the work site.

The southern section of Bussell Hwy can be temporarily reopened to allow access to Margaret’s Forrest entrance from the North. This will also mean that businesses affected by full vehicle closure since 27 February 2020 will regain vehicle access.

Residents and visitors are reminded that there are parking bays and access points to the Main Street behind shops south of Churchill Avenue, on Ned Higgins Lane. Refer to parking map here.

The Shire has created a parking map to help visitors identify parking spots around the CBD, together with information on what the Main Street Makeover will deliver.

Hard copies
Accommodation providers can pick up hard copies at the Visitor Information Centre on Bussell Highway.

Download digital copy here

Work is progressing well at the north entry to town.
Deep excavation is required to install the necessary stormwater infrastructure.
A shutter (pictured) is being used to safeguard the trench and workers from any potential collapse.
Stormwater pits are being are being installed along with several 1.2m diameter pipes.

The northern section of the Main Street (from Swings & Roundabouts Taphouse to Tunbridge St/Churchill Ave) will be closed from 27 February, with ground works commencing Friday. The closure is expected to be in place for approximately four weeks. View detour map.

The road closure and detours are necessary to accommodate a realignment of stormwater infrastructure to avoid a conflict in utility services underground.

Light vehicle access
Light vehicle traffic entering from the north can access the Margaret River town site via Bussell Highway and following detours up Higgins Street and along Townview Terrace. Local traffic will still be able to access businesses and properties north of the Coles Express service station.
Alternatively, light vehicles can access town via the Perimeter Road and John Archibald Drive.

Heavy and long vehicle access
Heavy vehicles, including buses and vehicles towing trailers or caravans, are requested to use the Perimeter Road and enter Margaret River town via John Archibald Drive.

Access to businesses in front of the closure site
Visitors to JahRoc Galleries, Swings & Roundabouts Taphouse, Margaret River Bakery, Margaret River Collaborative and Innetown Backpackers are reminded that there is some parking available behind most of these shops on Ned Higgins Lane. Full pedestrian access will be maintained in front of these shops.

Pedestrians will be able to access Margaret River Happy Times gift shop on foot. Access for guests staying at Margarets Forest Holiday Apartments will be provided.

Works are on schedule at the Bussell Hwy/Wallcliffe Rd/Forrest Rd intersection. Stormwater drainage has been fully installed on the west side of the intersection and is connected to existing drainage in Reuther Park, meaning we are prepared for rainfall. Excavation works on the eastern side of the intersection will begin soon with all drainage works at the top intersection expected to be completed by the end of next week. Footpath construction will commence once the stormwater drainage works are complete.

Wallcliffe Road/Bussell Highway intersection update

Works are progressing well at the top end of town. Before the new roundabout is built, old stormwater infrastructure under ground is being replaced. Work crews have dug down about 3.5 meters to the centre junction pit, laying eleven, 450mm stormwater pipes. The team is now working west of the intersection on Wallcliffe Road, digging four side entry pits. These are the little openings you see along kerbs designed to collect stormwater from the road surface. Once this is done, they’ll begin making side entry pits to the north and east side of the intersection.

Tunbridge Street/Churchill Avenue intersection

Crews have been potholing to confirm the location of utility services under the ground. This involves careful vacuum excavation to allow visual confirmation of services and other unknown obstructions before starting deep excavation. The location of huge1500mm diameter stormwater pipes to be installed between Tunbridge Street and the rain garden are being moved from the northbound carriageway to the centre of the road. This will require a portion of Bussell Highway to close whilst excavation works take place and pipes are laid. Updated detour map is available here.

Whilst most drivers are following detours, there have been a number of incidents where people are ignoring red lights, stop bats and even taking risks driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic to avoid detours. We ask drivers to follow detour signage and the directions of traffic management personnel to avoid a serious incident happening. We appreciate your help in spreading this message.

Check out the size of these pipes! Reinforced concrete pipes have arrived and will be installed underground at the north end of town in the coming months to improve drainage on the Main Street. The 1500mm diameter pipes carry storm water into the bioretention basin (rain garden) which naturally filters water before it infiltrates the river.