Next stage for streetscape plan

GOLDEN Plains Shire council officers are looking for community feedback about beautification works in Smythesdale, Scarsdale and Linton.

Community input was received in August to create initial concepts, and feedback is now being sought to ensure the Northern Streetscapes Framework Plan reflects grassroots priorities.

There will be an in-person session on Monday 9 December from 10am until 12pm at The Well, Smythesdale. Registration is required.

Residents can also respond to an online survey on the Golden Plains Shire website until Friday 13 December.

Scarsdale community member Jeannie King said it is critical residents provide feedback since the immediate area does not have a council representative.

“It’s very important locally now because we don’t actually have a Shire councillor in our area just here,” she said.

The design development plans for Scarsdale include large canopy trees, such eucalyptus rubida, being planted in various locations including on a traffic island between the Glenelg Highway and Pitfield-Scarsdale Road.

Horticulturalist and Scarsdale resident Carol Bourke said these trees are known for dropping limbs and are unsuitable.

“One particular species, the eucalyptus rubida also known as candlebark and known limb droppers,” she said.

“The other concern of mine is that they have a lot of groundcovers listed and that to me means garden beds which means maintenance that they’ll have to be weeded, and how will they do that?”

Ms King said while it is good to see plans for improved footpaths, bus stop upgrades and more carparking, beautification works should not come at the expense of safety at the intersection.

“Why are [Golden Plains Shire] talking about anything else other than the safety of this area? And this is really an unsafe intersection,” she said.

“To my mind the beautifying is the second thing, and the safety is the first thing.”

Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Shane Walden encouraged the community to review the design development plans.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed during the August consultation process,” he said.

“Your feedback informed the detailed design development plans and has brought us closer to delivering this exciting project.

“I encourage northern residents to attend the in-person session and share their thoughts to ensure the designs continue to reflect the community’s vision and priorities.”

The project is funded with $650,000 from Golden Plains Shire and $650,000 from Berrybank Wind Farm.