TERANG residents should prepare for the transformation of High Street with streetscape works set to begin next month.
The tender for stage one of the project was awarded to Colac company R. Slater and Sons at a special council meeting on Tuesday night.
Stage one will include kerbing, feature pavement, new seats, garden and street trees, subsurface drainage and footpath works and out stands for pedestrians to cross the road on the north side of High Street between Estcourt and Shadforth streets.
The council has budgeted $1.2 million for stage one and the council’s works and services director Alex Green said the contract was awarded under budget.
Mr Green said the work, which was expected to be finished by May, would cause headaches for businesses and the community.
“It’s going to be very disruptive for business owners and the community and we’re asking them to work with us,” he said.
“By winter, we will be beginning to see the transformation of Terang. The council and the community are really looking forward to getting the work done.”
Mayor Chris O’Connor said the project had been a long and drawn out process and he was really pleased R. Slater and Sons were in a position to start on February 1.
“There will be some wonderful drainage work and safe pavements and the residents of Terang and district will be very relieved when it’s done,” he said.
Cr O’Connor said unfortunately the work would mean disruption but the council would work with businesses to keep it to a minimum.
“I guess for the sake of progress there is some pain to get the gain,” he said.
In May last year, the council walked away from some of the planned works, including angle parking, because of a cost blow out.