Augusta residents to question Shire of Augusta-Margaret River streetscape plans at January 8 meeting

Augusta residents will be urged to attend a meeting in early January that could decide the future of the seaside town’s main street.

A long-awaited project to upgrade Augusta’s main strip was out for public consultation now, with three options provided to residents.

It comes as a collective of local stakeholder groups plan for a meeting on January 8 at Centennial Hall amid concerns many residents have already rejected all three options provided by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

Shire sustainable development and infrastructure director Nick Logan told the Times planning for the meeting was under way amid a “substantial” seven-week consultation period.

Mr Logan said elements of an earlier plan and Augusta’s 2008 townsite strategy had informed the latest approach.

Augusta Community Development Association committee member Carolyn Tenardi said groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Leeuwin Lions, the Community Resource Centre and ACDA formed a representative group to co-ordinate residents’ feedback to the Shire.

Many of the elements from the earlier plan were still supported by residents who wanted accessibility, eased congestion and connections to the surrounding area maintained.

“Maintaining a laidback, coastal feel is important and we are considering plantings that are practical, environmentally sensitive, and do not reduce visibility or accessibility,” Ms Tenardi said.

“We are yet to establish a good connection between the civic precinct and the retail strip plus provide better facilities for visitors including information services, RV parking and dumping point, and a better location for a public bus stop.”

While residents wanted to see Heppingstone View opened as a connection between Blackwood Avenue and Allnutt Terrace, the concept of a median strip on the main street was not much liked.

Former Shire president Mike Smart said feedback from residents showed little support for any of the three options.

The online survey did not allow other input except selecting one of the options which Mr Smart said might not adequately capture Augusta sentiment.

“My feelings are that there will be nothing come out of these concept plans either,” he said.

“The input that I’ve seen so far is that the proposed options would have little support.”

Resident Donna Dornan told the Times said option 2 was a “breath of fresh air” that could add vibrancy for the main retail centre.

Residents were urged to attend the January 8 meeting at Centennial Hall starting at 5.30pm.

The Shire said further consultation would occur in the first half of 2024.