Lithgow Main Street Restoration – Stage 2

Eligibility for this grant funding has expired as resourcing and budgetary restraints restricted Councils ability to complete project planning and commence construction. 

Specifically, the Council had to allocate scarce project management resources towards projects with more imminent impacts on the community including the seven-natural disaster declarations.  The Council has also had difficulty retaining an ongoing Project Managers for the Main Street upgrade because of a competitive employment market.  

The expiration of this funding means that, the project has had to be re-scoped to reflect the available funding. The Federal funding for this project was just one component of this project.   

The Council will still be delivering the footpath upgrade between Bridge Street and Eskbank Street, with the construction tender for this section to be released in September. This section has been selected based on the greater risk posed to pedestrians by uneven pavers in this part of main street to ensure that priority work is done in the interest of safety. 

The Council will advocate to the Federal Government to reinstate the funding for the continuation of the project from Eskbank Street to Cook Street and is also developing a grant application for other Australian Government funding streams.  

A Project delivery oversight group has been established by Council to ensure comprehensive governance of all projects being delivered by Council, including projects funded by both state and federal Governments. Already this group is leading changes to Council’s project management processes. Continued reporting will also ensure that Councillors are informed directly on the delivery programs and risks with key projects. The Council has also increased the capacity of the infrastructure project management team to meet grant project delivery timeframes and commitments 

The council will set up a dedicated webpage for this project which will detail the timelines and progress of the project.

Regular updates will be posted on Council’s Facebook page @LithgowCityCouncil and included in Council’s weekly subscriber eNewsletter, Council Connections. You can subscribe via the www.ourplaceourfuture.lithgow.com website.
Periodic updates will be included in the Council Community Update published monthly in the Lithgow Mercury and Village Voice.

Where appropriate, radio advertising will be used to inform of any additional disruption to the community such as temporary street closures.

Council’s Project Manager will liaise with individual businesses on a regular basis and will identify how they wish to receive project updates in addition to the means outlined above.

The project is scheduled to start in early 2025 and construction will take 9-12 months to complete. 

The project is predominantly grant funded with $1.5m from the State Government and The Council is contributing $800k in the 2024/25 Operational Plan funded from Special Parking Rate levies held in reserve. 

The Council received a $2m grant in 2022 from the State Government which relied upon Council matching the fund dollar for dollar. The Council had also secured funding from the Federal Government which expired in June 2024 which resulted in the project needing to be re-scoped.  

Grant funding from Governments can only be spent on the project that it was received for. It cannot be used for another project or purpose. 

The special rate for parking for 151 CBD properties has continued within the designated area of Lithgow. At the Council meeting held on 26 November 2018 it was resolved:
18 – 349 RESOLVED
THAT Council take the following action from the 2019/20 financial year:

1. Utilise the parking special rate for Lithgow CBD capital works and maintenance.
2. Determine a specific program of works and activities which will be funded from the parking special rate for inclusion in each year’s Operational Plan (Revenue Policy).
3. Any parking special rate funds not utilised in a financial year be placed in an internally restricted reserve for future Lithgow CBD capital works and maintenance.
4. That the outcome of the program is reported to the Council annually and that the program is reviewed in 5 years.

The ad valorem rate and estimated yield is provided below.
The remaining Parking Special Rate income will be allocated to the Main Street Revitalisation project as a co-contribution for the grant funded project. Any parking special rate funds not utilised will be placed in an internally restricted reserve for future Lithgow CBD capital works and maintenance”.
The review of the Parking Special Rate is due for completion by 30 June 2024.

Council holds $500Kin reserves for ongoing CBD capital works. The funds were specifically set aside to build a grant funding co-contribution for the Main Street Upgrade project.

The council is not considering the installation of parking meters as part of this project.

Stage 2 will see the pavers and kerb replaced between Cook Street and Bridge Street with shotblast concrete interspersed with heritage brick banding and bluestone edges. The project emphasises pedestrian thoroughfare and walkability. A specific outcome of this work will be the reconstruction of all pram ramps that meet current accessibility standards. 

The Main Street Restoration Project is a multi-stage project with funding of later stages still to be secured. The renewal of the footpath between Cook Street and Lithgow Street is part of the Master Action Plan. The process will commence once funding is secured.

All CBD businesses are invited to provide feedback on Stage 2 of the project. This will inform the final look and feel of the Entire length of Main Street from Lithgow Street to Bridge Street.

The existing brick kerb is 200mm high which is above the standard 150mm. Kerb stones come in different sizes depending on their intended use. Standard sizes can range from 150mm to 300mm in height. The height of 200mm kerb stones will be used as it is needed to incorporate the outlets for rainwater from the awnings. Part of the scope of work for the footpath renewal will be to raise the outlets by 50mm to accommodate a new asphalt road surface as part of a future stage in the Main Street upgrade. Once the new surface is installed, the height of the kerb will be reduced to 150mm.

The Main Street Restoration Project is a multi-stage project with funding of later stages still to be secured. Asphalting of the concrete road is reliant upon the footpath being fully replaced between Bridge Street and Lithgow Street.

Funding for this later stage of the Main Street upgrade is still to be secured. The first step is the upgrade of the entire footpath, kerb & gutter, drainage and existing inground services. Asphalting of the concrete road is reliant upon the footpath being fully replaced between Bridge Street and Lithgow Street.

Planters currently exist on Main Street and do not interfere with entering and exiting your car. The new proposed planters will be similar in size to the existing planters.

The EV Charging Strategy was developed in collaboration with the Lithgow Community Power Project by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures in 2022 – Lithgow’s Electric Car Parks – An EV charging strategy for the Lithgow LGA and Main Street Precinct. The Strategy provides a framework for a consistent, community-driven approach to the deployment of EV destination charging infrastructure by Council and third-party service providers.

The Strategy sets out a long-term vision (10 years) with a short-term (3 years) and Implementation Plan for how publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure will be deployed within the Lithgow LGA. The resulting services are intended to benefit residents, visitors, and businesses with an initial focus on the Lithgow CBD precinct.

A key goal of the Council is to ensure that there is adequate charging infrastructure to support EV users wanting to make the best use of their time. The Council is currently working with NRMA (National Road and Motorist Association) on a project to install an EV Charging Station in the Eskbank Street Carpark, not Main Street. This location will enable visitors to take advantage of our cafes and shops whilst their vehicle is charging.

The Main Street Revitalisation Action Plan process has identified that the Main Street entry could be significantly improved to provide a more generous civic access which could improve night comfort and security.
All pram ramps will also be replaced to ensure compliance with modern standards, and disabled parking spaces will also be upgraded to ensure they meet current standards regarding length, width, crossfall and footpath accessibility.

A study was performed to evaluate the performance of different surfaces for the Main Street footpath which included bluestone pavers compared to concrete. The study concluded that concrete outperformed the bluestone pavers in slip resistance and durability.

It is also a simpler process to reinstate slip resistance of concrete over time with sand blasting, acid etching, or similar.

The materials that will be used for this project are still in keeping with the heritage and the surrounding environment of Lithgow. The concrete pavement lifts and lightens the Main Street and is softened by heritage brick bands and bluestone which speak to the heritage architecture and fabric of Lithgow.

The use of concrete also allows for easier cleaning and maintenance. Overall, the cost to construct and whole of life cost is less than it would be for installation and ongoing maintenance of the bluestone pavers for the entire footpath.

The new handrails have been designed to comply with the current Australian Standards (AS1428) – “The top of the handrail must be not less than 865mm or greater than 1000mm from the nosing of a stair or the plane of the finished floor level on a ramp, walkway or landing”.

Plantings will be included at the intersections of Eskbank Street and Bridge Streets. Bridge Street will become a focal entry to the Main Street like the Lithgow Street intersection.

Three concepts have been developed for the Eskbank Street intersection to soften and make this a ‘green’ focal point.

Pot planters and trellis planters to be placed against large blank walls or around awning posts will be placed at intervals along the Main Street.

The council will make every effort to consult with businesses to establish needs in relation to on-street dining. Overall, this project is being delivered to make Main Street a more attractive place to shop and conduct business. On street trading contributes to a more vibrant, lively and accommodating space. Contributing to the potential for on-street trading strongly features as part of this project.

The council will be working with the retailers and businesses on Main Street to ascertain their level of interest in maintaining planter pots.

The council has also commenced a program of replacing ‘high maintenance’ street tree species with less labor-intensive species throughout the LGA. This will enable Council to divert Parks & Garden staff from pruning programs to other projects such as maintaining green spaces in the CBD. To date, this work has already occurred on Mort Street, Lithgow, with several ‘mop tops’ being replaced with a more appropriate species.

Council will be considering a detailed design of the permanent plantings which will include low-maintenance species and the development of maintenance schedules to ensure that greenspaces are always looking their best. Engagement with Council’s employed horticulturalists will occur as part of the broader consultation for this project to ensure this aspect of the yearly maintenance is appropriately addressed.

The council acknowledges that businesses and the community may be disrupted during the project. However, it is intended that the project will be undertaken in stages to reduce any inconvenience. The council will not be ripping the footpath up all in one go. The project will be staged so that the work is undertaken in small sections and then progressed forward. All businesses will be aware of when works will be undertaken in front of them so they can plan their trading and inform their customers/clients.

It should be noted that there may be times when the timeframes may need to be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances. The infrastructure under the surface in Main Street is ageing and something unplanned may be found. In such cases, Council will work with business and keep everyone informed of any deviations or extensions to timeframes as the project progresses.

Businesses will be aware of when the footpath renewal is going to be undertaken in front of their shop or business. Every effort will be made to minimise impact to businesses during high-traffic periods. A schedule of work will be available in advance so they will be able to plan for this disruption and keep their loyal customers or clients informed of any changes to appointments or their hours of service.

No, Council has factored in ‘hold points’ in the project timeline. This will mean that for a short period preceding and during these events, the upgrade project will temporarily stop. This will enable all businesses to take advantage of visitor trading during events and the CBD will be promoted as “open for business”.

Yes, weather conditions will be factored into the project. One advantage of this project is the awnings will provide under-cover construction enabling work to continue during adverse weather.

All work is expected to be undertaken during normal working hours. However, if there is a temporary change to the hours of operation, Council will ensure that all Main Street residents are informed in advance.

Yes, as part of this stage of the project, the Council engaged the landscape architects, who have been involved with the project since its conception, to review the original masterplan. The materials that will be used for this project are still in keeping with the heritage setting and the surrounding environment of Lithgow. The concrete pavement lifts and lightens the Main Street and is softened by heritage brick bands and bluestone which speak to the heritage architecture and fabric of Lithgow. The greening will mirror the surrounding bush clad hills that can be seen from anywhere in the CBD.