Sixth Street Revitalisation Project

Project Background

The Revitalisation of Sixth Street is an exciting project for the Rural City, which builds on Councils ‘Town Centre Master Plan and Urban Design Framework’ and ‘Town Centre Traffic Plan’. At the 10 August 2015 meeting of Council endorsed the plans for the revitalisation of Sixth Street.

About the Design

Sixth Street will become a vibrant place for people of all ages – a shady, comfortable and interesting place for people to gather, meet friends, and participate in community events.

Sixth Street and the crossing of Bridge Street will be a safer place for pedestrians – it will not be dominated by cars and car parking, although people will still be able to drive through and access parking along Sixth Street.

Sixth Street will be more attractive for shoppers – leading to increased retail activity along both sides of the street.

Sixth Street will be a place to visit at night, on weekdays and on weekends.

“We think Sixth Street can change from ‘a street to travel through’ to ‘a place to travel to’, and we share the community’s enthusiasm for the potential to transform and beautify Sixth Street and revitalise the area”(Lisel Ashby, from the Jensen Planning + Design Team)

The revitalisation of Sixth Street will be achieved by:

• The whole of Sixth Street would be designed as a ‘shared street’ environment, with paved surfaces throughout, no traditional kerbs, slower traffic, more trees and street furniture

• Vehicles will continue to travel slowly one way along the North section of Sixth Street (Town Hall side)

• The Southern side of Sixth Street would change to one way Southwards, allowing 90 degree parking and slower moving cars

• Rearranged and somewhat reduced car parking spaces in the street, freeing up more space for people, outdoor eating and seating, and landscaping

• Improvements to existing off-street car parking areas and linkages through to Bridge and Sixth Streets

• A wonderful new plaza in front of the art gallery will be developed for the Murray Bridge community and visitors, containing seating, paving, plants, trees and interesting artwork

• A new safer pedestrian crossing will be installed in South Terrace so it’s easier to cross from the Market Place to get to Bridge Street

• Sometimes Sixth Street North (and potentially South) may close for community events, like markets or local gatherings

• The pedestrian crossing of Bridge Street at the Sixth Street intersection will be made much safer by extending the median to provide a refuge

Funding

In June 2015 Council’s application for the ‘Sixth Street Revitalisation Project’ under the SA Government’s ‘Places for People’ open space grant program for $1,700,141 was approved. In December 2015 Council’s application for the ‘Sixth Street Revitalisation Project’ under the National Stronger Regions Fund (Round 2) for $1,700,141 was approved.

This means that the $3.4M ‘Sixth Street Revitalisation Project’ is fully funded by external partners.

Sixth Street Revitalisation

Council endorsed the concept plans for Sixth Street Revitalisation Design on 10 September 2014.

Leading up to Councils decision to endorse the plans developed for Sixth Street, it was identified and envisaged that:

• The street be a vibrant place for people of all ages – a shady, comfortable and interesting place for people to gather, meet friends, and participate in community events

• Sixth Street and the crossing of Bridge Street will be a safer place for pedestrians – it will not be dominated by cars and car parking, although people will still be able to drive through and access parking along Sixth Street

• Sixth Street will be more attractive for shoppers – leading to increased retail activity along both sides of the street

• Sixth Street will be a place to visit at night, on weekdays and on weekends