In brief:

• Improvements are being made at several local shops across Canberra.
• Public space improvements will improve safety, accessibility, look and feel.
• This story looks at work taking place at three shopping areas in Belconnen.

Have you noticed some work going on at your neighbourhood shops lately?

Several local shopping areas are receiving a bit of a facelift through important public space upgrades.

These include Macquarie shops, Kippax Group Centre and Evatt shops in Belconnen.

Some of the upgrades include new play equipment, more places to sit and gather and improved access and parking.

You can also expect improvements to each centre’s overall look and feel, through the addition of murals, new trees and landscaping.

It’s hoped these improvements will encourage residents to shop local and spend more time in their suburbs.

Community consultation

Each project has involved community engagement.

Community groups and local businesses have shared feedback on the changes they’d like to see. This has informed individual designs.

You can find more on the consultation process and feedback received for each project by clicking on the links below.

Macquarie shops

Upgrades to the local shops at Macquarie Place are now complete.

Key features include:

• extra landscaping and tree plantings to provide more shade and enhance the spaces around the shops
• new tables and seating
• an upgraded playground with nature play and play elements such as balancing logs and steppers
• new accessible parking bays
• upgraded lighting to improve public safety
• art murals (still to come).

Find out more about the improvements at Macquarie shops.

Kippax Group Centre

Public space improvements have been made along Hardwick Crescent between Luke Street and the service station.

These improvements took into consideration the other significant projects underway, both in and around the shopping area.

Key features include:

• better accessibility along shopfronts. Wider shopfront pavement will allow space for outdoor cafes and public outdoor furniture.
• upgrades to the three pedestrian crossings in this section. These will become new raised crossings with new lighting. This change will improve safety for pedestrians and also slow traffic along Hardwick Crescent.
• line marking within the carparks. This will direct pedestrians between the currently separated shops on either side of the large carparks.
• two new parallel timed parking spaces along Hardwick Crescent and six loading zone spaces.
• two new accessible parking spaces within the carpark adjacent to Hardwick Crescent.
• an enhanced streetscape. There will be new plantings and landscaping, including 12 new Chinese elm trees expected to grow to 10 metres tall.
• new seating.

Some minor works to finish the streetlighting will be completed in early 2025. This work will have no impact to traffic arrangements along Hardwick Crescent.

Find out more about the improvements at Kippax Group Centre.

Evatt shops

Upgrades are also underway at Evatt shops, on the corner of Clancy Street and Heydon Crescent.

The public space improvements will include new play equipment – a priority raised through community consultation.

Key features include:

• new seating and tables
• proposed nature play and accessible play elements
• an art mural to brighten up the area
• new accessible parking bays
• a new toilet block
• more trees and better landscaping
• improved access for pedestrians including paths, safe crossings and stairways
• resurfacing of the service area off McClure Street and improved access and safety at Heydon Place.

Find out more about the improvements at Evatt shops.

Read more like this

• Further upgrades for local shops
• Kippax Fair upgrade to support growing West Belconnen
• Best suburban cafes

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