The main street of Collinsville is set to receive a boost following the announcement at last week’s Council meeting that final plans for its beautification project have been approved and work will commence early next year.
The ‘Choose Collinsville Project’ follows a similar structure as the Bowen and Proserpine iterations which have been widely appreciated by the communities and known to enhance the liveability of the towns.
Collinsville main street will receive new pedestrian signage, street furniture, public bins, landscaping with irrigation, traffic islands and the entire street will be re-sealed.
Councillor Michelle Wright said that following community consultation it was decided to use an historic green colour theme to fit with the town’s pre-existing signage.
“Collinsville is an older town with history being an important part of the community, so this is the colour the people chose,” she said.
“This project will give local businesses a boost and inject a bit of pride in the community, as well as attracting new people to town.”
The entire project was brought about following two community consultations, where locals questioned the plans which stated eight carparking spaces would be lost due to the installation of scenic flower beds.
Councillor Wright decided to walk the streets and ask all the local businesses for their feedback.
Following this, it was decided to off-set the ones that were lost and reconfigure the preliminary design.
“We listened to the people and now we are meeting in the middle,” said Cr Wright.
“I believe this project will bring about the boost we are looking for.”
This project was financed by the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, who contributed $700,000, with a further $300,000 from Whitsunday Regional Council.
The beautifications are part of a series of initiatives which have recently improved the liveability of Collinsville – the waterpark was completed earlier this year and Cr Wright says that she hopes the Pump Track will be next on the list.
Image: Collinsville main street will receive a $1 million facelift