A project that will see a much improved link between the wharf and Eden CBD, including safer pedestrian access for cruise passengers wishing to walk into town has been given the thumbs up.
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Council has agreed to find $500,000 so that a major funding application for work on Albert Terrace and its intersection with Imlay Street, Eden can proceed.
The entire project covers pedestrian access from the Eden Wharf to the CBD and includes work on the difficult intersection that exists between Imlay Street in the CBD and Albert Terrace.
In a report to council, director transport and utilities Terry Dodds said that with an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and general use of the Imlay Street shopping precinct and the Eden Wharf, urgent consideration needed to be given to improve the amenity for both.
“Due to the opportunities the port’s expansion will provide, to Eden and the whole Far South Coast economy, it is imperative visitors have a positive experience,” Mr Dodds said
General manager Leanne Barnes explained that $2 million was set aside for the work originally but when an extra $2m was needed to ensure the wharf project went ahead, council stepped in with the money that had been earmarked for the Albert Terrace project.
Council is now hoping to get funding from the Building Better Regions Fund which provides funding for infrastructure projects and community investment that will create jobs and drive economic growth.
However the program requires a 50 per cent matching contribution from council which plans to apply for $1m for the project.
The current draft 10 Year Financial Plan, yet to be finalised, has an amount of $500,000 allocated towards the project. If successful, a further $500,000 would be required to be brought forward from 2018/2019, as the funding criterion requires the project to commence within 12 weeks of the signing of the agreement, Mr Dodds said in his report.
He added that because of its significance it was important for councillors to discuss the project and said a lot of work had taken place behind the scenes and the plans were only finished yesterday.
“The report seeks council to commit a large sum of money and doesn’t exclude council from seeking money elsewhere but the application has to go in by 28 Feb,” Mr Dodds said.
