MITCHELL Shire Council will establish a working group to progress the revitalisation of Sydney Street in Kilmore.
This was decided at a recent council meeting when Cr Kelley Stewart brought forward a notice of motion, which was seconded by Cr Ross Lee.
Cr Stewart said that with the election of the new Coalition Government in Victoria, and more specifically the Seymour electorate, where Liberal Cindy McLeish is the new MP, Kilmore, Wallan and Bylands now have the promise of a bypass.
“With that certainty, council can now confidently commence planning to revitalise Kilmore’s main street,” Cr Stewart said.
Cr Stewart said it was time to incorporate the principles of the Shire’s draft community engagement strategy and consider the revitalisation of the main street as one of two planned pilot projects.
“There is a significant level of interest in such a project and Council should take advantage of this community interest.
“I would see this proposed pilot project should commence by engaging with interested retailers, community groups and individuals to determine how the main street should look and the development of a project plan for achieving these results.
“Council has a plethora of relevant documentation which includes the main street precinct,” Cr Stewart continued.
These include the current Kilmore Strategy Plan, the Kilmore access and movement study, revisiting the special charge scheme for main street traders, previously agreed but not forthcoming funding in Council’s 2008-2009 budget for Kilmore Chamber of Commerce to develop streetscape design plans, a Council resolution in 2009 to progress tree guard replacement with bollards in a holistic street redevelopment, and planning issues such as the proposed and existing heritage overlays and the Mill Street Mall civic space grant.
Cr Lee said it is a timely move in the light of the new government’s commitment to the external bypass.
He said much credit must go to the Wallan Kilmore Bypass Group for this decision by the Coalition.
Cr Lee suggested CEO David Keenan should establish a dialogue with the new roads minister.
Mr Keenan said streetscape funding could be sought through relevant departments.
Cr Stewart said any costings could go for budget consideration to do the pilot project.






