Margaret River Main Street Makeover

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From February - December 2020, Margaret River’s Main Street underwent a major transformation. The Main Street Makeover included a range of improvements designed to create an even more enjoyable place to shop, eat, drink and celebrate.

You can find project updates, frequently asked questions and other up to date information on this page.

Please note this information was correct at the time of publishing.

From February - December 2020, Margaret River’s Main Street underwent a major transformation. The Main Street Makeover included a range of improvements designed to create an even more enjoyable place to shop, eat, drink and celebrate.

You can find project updates, frequently asked questions and other up to date information on this page.

Please note this information was correct at the time of publishing.

  • Detour Information (From 3 Feb 2020)

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Stage 1 of the Margaret River Main Street Makeover will begin 3 February until 30 May 2020.

    Detours and traffic management will be in place at all times during this period. Please follow the directions of traffic management personnel and follow the directional detour signage at all times. Pedestrian and bike access will be clearly signposed.

    Access to Settler’s Tavern, IGA and other businesses via Tunbridge Street will remain open at all times. If you have any questions, please contact Shire Project Manager, Peter Brown 0481 460 578

    Map above includes detours from 3 Feb - 4 March 2020

    DOWNLOAD additional detour maps for all of Stage 1 ( until end of May)*

    *Subject to change. Whilst detour dates have been planned in advance, they may be updated pending progress of the project.
  • Community information session

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    Come along to hear more about the detailed plans for the timing of works and traffic management for February 2020.

    Tuesday 21 January 5.30-6.30pm in Margaret River Council Chambers



  • Road Closure Notice - sections of Bussell Highway

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    Notice is given of the following partial and full road closures from 1 February 2020 to 30 May 2020.

    Bussell Highway – at the intersections of Wallcliffe Road and Forrest Road, Margaret River.
    Bussell Highway – at the intersections of Tunbridge Street and Churchill Avenue, Margaret River.

    Both closures are for the purpose of constructing roundabouts.

    Detours and traffic management will be in place at all times during this period. Please follow the directions of traffic management personnel and follow the directional detour signage at all times. Further information about detours will be issued soon.

    Any persons wishing to make a submission about this matter should contact the Shire via email on amrshire@amrshire.wa.gov.au

    All other enquires can be made by contacting Peter Brown, Project Manager – Main Street Redevelopment Project by email pbrown@amrshire.wa.gov.au or phone 08 9780 5641 or 0481 460 578.





    This notice is given In accordance with the Local Government Act – Section 3.50 (1a, 4).
  • Main Street Design Drawings

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    Technical drawings for the Main Street Makeover are available here.
    You can also access them in the 'documents' section of this website.



  • Local contractor awarded tender for Main Street works

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    Local construction company Busselton Civil (BCP) Pty Ltd was awarded the construction tender for Margaret River’s Main Street upgrade that is set to start in February 2020.

    A total of six organisations attended the public briefing for more information about the project, with two quality tender responses received.

    The Shire of Augusta Margaret River Council decided at last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting to appoint BCP as the successful tenderer.

    Shire President Ian Earl said he was delighted that a business from within the local region would be completing the Main Street Makeover.

    “I’m very pleased to announce that after thorough evaluation by a panel, a local supplier has been selected.

    “There is a total $8.6m in State and Local Government funding earmarked for phases one and two of the project and the more of these funds that are spent locally, the more we will see recirculated back to local families.”

    “This really is a win for the whole community,” he said.

    Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Addison-Brown said the first two phases of works to be completed under the tender contract include Tunbridge Street to Fearn Avenue (including the new Festival Precinct on Fearn Avenue), the roundabout to the south of town where Bussell Highway intersects with Wallcliffe Road, and the roundabout at Tunbridge Street and Churchill Avenue intersection.

    “There has been a big build up to this point and I feel like the community can really get excited now,” she said.

    “The project is going to result in a highly attractive, welcoming and accessible centre of town that we can really enjoy and be proud of.

    “There will be critical drainage improvements, road pavement upgrades and improved safety measures for both pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

    “The streetscape will be friendlier, with more landscaping and seating areas to socialise in.

    “Also included is a new Festival Precinct which has been long desired for by the community – particularly business groups.

    “This will create opportunities for more festivals, fairs, celebrations and events to create a more vibrant and active town centre,” she said.

    A summary of key benefits includes:
    • increased number of road crossing points from six to nine to improve pedestrian safety and constructed in line with current standards;
    • a net increase of at least two parking bays within the CBD, with increased length of parking bays from 6.3m to 7m. This will provide better access for 4WD vehicles and achieve compliance with current standards. There will be additional directional signage to direct traffic to parking options;
    • larger ACROD accessible bays for people with mobility restrictions;
    • a new Festival Precinct on Fearn Avenue providing the community with an event space adding to the vibrancy and community feel of our town centre. The Festival Precinct will include a rain garden;
    • safer intersections and improvements to traffic flow with the new roundabouts at Tunbridge Street and Wallcliffe Road/Bussell Highway intersections;
    • a new cycle lane and additional bike parking which will help create a culture of using alternative transport modes;
    • improved verge landscaping and larger tree protection zones to preserve the established trees;
    • better drainage, pathway and road surfaces; new energy efficient LED street lighting;
    • better bin systems to improve recycling;
    • new outdoor seating and;
    • flags on street poles that can be better utilised by community groups and event organisers to promote events.
    The key features and benefits of the project have been determined through extensive community consultation held with residents, business owners, community groups, partner agencies and local organisations since 2013,” Ms Addison-Brown said.

    “Through this consultation, our community have essentially built the plan in collaboration with the Shire.

    “I feel very confident people are going to be really happy with the final result.

    “We look forward to starting the project as scheduled in February 2020 and bringing the long-awaited project to fruition,” she said.

    The first two phases of this project are funded by the State Government of Western Australia through the South West Development Commission and by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

    The third phase between Willmot Avenue up to Wallcliffe Road is subject to further funding.

    For more information about the project visit www.mainstreetmakeover.com.au
  • Gearing up for the Main Street Makeover

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    With Margaret River’s Main Street upgrade on track to begin in February 2020, the Shire of Augusta Margaret River is launching a joint marketing campaign to support traders through the construction period and inform residents about the changes in store.

    The Main Street Makeover campaign has been developed in close consultation with a group of Main Street traders and the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MRCCI).

    Shire Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Addison-Brown said the campaign’s aims were to help keep the Main Street vibrant during the upgrade and inform locals, visitors and shoppers about the exciting changes in store.

    “This campaign is a fun and positive way to build a buzz around the Main Street and draw people in,” explains Ms Addison-Brown.

    “We’ve already seen a number of businesses coming up with some brilliant initiatives which they plan to do next year.

    “There are a number of exciting features our community can look forward to seeing as part of the upgrade.

    “In addition to critical storm water drainage upgrades, the Main Street will have a designated cycle lane and a new Festival Precinct on Fearn Avenue - providing our town with an alfresco event space that can be temporarily closed off to traffic," Ms Addison-Brown said.

    MRCCI President and Main Street trader Melissa D’Ath said the Main Street Makeover campaign complemented broader initiatives to support local business.

    “The Shire has been working closely with us and is taking a proactive approach to support the business community in the lead up to works kicking off.

    “The Main Street Makeover campaign gives us a marketing umbrella to unite under, and collectively come up with ideas to keep people coming into town.

    “Some examples we’ve heard are Hard Hat Happy Hours as part of the Main Street Makeover, or a Main Street Makeover Shop Rewards Program, with prizes up for grabs once you collect enough stamps from participating stores,” she said.

    Ms D’Ath said the MRCCI was encouraging all businesses to get on board.

    “We think the cumulative effect of joining in and supporting this initiative, combined with other events coming to the CBD next year like the South West Street Festival and Emergence Creative Festival will help even out potential impact to trade due to works going on,” she said.

    The campaign will be supported with a range of marketing materials including information boards detailing features of the upgrade, parking maps for accommodation providers, temporary parking signage to direct people to peripheral parking spots, staging plan information and additional communications to help smooth any potential disruption.

    For up to date information about the project visit mainstreetmakeover.com.au

    The community is also invited to join the next ‘Meet with Pete’ session on Tuesday 17 December, 4.30pm at Settlers Tavern where Project Manager Peter Brown can answer any questions about the works in person.

    ‘Meet with Pete’ sessions will be held monthly throughout the duration of the project. Check mainstreetmakeover.com.au for event dates.

    This project is supported by the State Government of Western Australia.

  • Project Update – Nov 2019

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    Tender update
    The public tender process to attract a Main Street works contractor is progressing to plan. We had a good turnout at the recent information session held for interested contractors. Tender submissions will close on 22 November 2019.

    Next steps
    The Shire will then evaluate all tenders received and seek endorsement from the Council for a preferred contractor at the 11 December Ordinary Council Meeting.

    Next steps after this will include finalising fine details of the staging plan, including traffic management plans and other logistics in collaboration with the contractor. Some pre-construction activities will also begin in order to kick off construction in February 2020.

    Staging of works
    We are anticipating the first stage of works commence with the construction of the roundabouts at the top and bottom end of town (located at the Wallcliffe Road/Bussell Highway intersection and the Churchill Avenue/Tunbridge Street intersections).

    Traffic management & directional signage

    While some disruptions to traffic are unavoidable, every effort will be made to maintain access around the areas affected by the construction and in and out of the Main Street.
    Temporary directional signage, will be set up to guide traffic flow and temporary parking signs will help direct vehicles to peripheral parking spaces.

    Public awareness campaign
    A public awareness campaign to support continued trade and communicate the changes to come will be launched in the next few weeks. The campaign has been developed over several months in collaboration with a group of Main Street traders and representatives from the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce and Industry – so watch this space!

    Monthly ‘Meet with Pete’ – your questions answered
    If you have any questions, please come along to our monthly ‘Meet with Pete’ session where you can meet directly with Peter Brown, the Shire’s Project Manager.


  • 'Meet with Pete' sessions at Settlers Tavern

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    At the end of every month, Project Manager Pete will be at the Tav to answer any questions you have about the Main Street works. This is your chance to get info straight from the horse's mouth!

    Our first session was held on 30 October with some great questions coming in around what's happening with trees and parking. A special info update on these topics is coming soon.

    Meet with Pete - November
    You can catch Pete next month on Wednesday 27 November, 4.30pm at Settlers Tavern.

  • Meet the Project Team

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    The Shire has a strong team working on the Margaret River Main Street Redevelopment, to deliver all aspects of the redevelopment to a high standard and with minimum disruption. The new project manager, Peter Brown, has put on hold his regular position as the Shire Works Manager to lead the redevelopment. Peter has a wealth of experience in delivering large scale construction and infrastructure projects, having managed multimillion dollar infrastructure projects while working at the City of Canning, Rio Tinto (Pilbara), City of Albany and Coffey (where his clients were LandCorp, Woodside and Rio Tinto). The team also comprises David Nicholson, Manager of Assets, Chris Yates, Coordinator of Technical Services and Dusty Tuffin, Works Clerk; bringing a diversity of technical knowledge to the project.

    Saul Cresswell, Cristina Smith & Stacey Hutt will continue to work with traders and the public on marketing, communications and activation during the project, and Kate Mann supporting the schools.


    Meet Pete!

    Project Manager Peter Brown will be at Settlers Tavern from 4.30 to 5.30pm on Wednesday 30 October 2019 for anybody who would like to drop in and say hello, or ask project-specific questions. There will also be a chance to view the marketing materials which have been developed to support the construction period of the redevelopment.

    Where: Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

    When: Wednesday 30 October 2019

    Time: 4.30pm

  • Opportunities for local trades

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    The Shire has compiled a local trades directory which will be made available to the major tenderers when the project tender is advertised.

    Local suppliers who are interested in being added to the directory are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest if they have not done so already.

    The Main Street Redevelopment project includes the following works: demolition and earthworks, drainage, lighting and electrical works, new pedestrian paving and kerbing, traffic management, landscaping and street furniture.

    To express your interest, complete this form and email to amrshire@amrshire.wa.gov.au or post to PO Box 61, Margaret River 6285.

    Due by 5pm, Wednesday 16 October 2019.The submission of an expression of interest does not guarantee engagement in the construction of the Margaret River Main Street Redevelopment Project.

Page last updated: 14 Sep 2021, 01:15 PM