Council candidate John Harris is proposing to enhance the Civic Green and Warrnambool’s restaurant strip.
A MAJOR revamp of Warrnambool’s restaurant precinct and Civic Green have been put on the priority list by city council candidate John Harris who wants to see the CBD become more inviting.
Cr Harris, who is seeking a second term on the council, said wider footpaths at the southern end of Liebig Street and relocatable seating and wi-fi links on the Civic Green would bring people back to the CBD.
He wants recommendations in the recently approved city centre revitalisation structure plan to be enacted as soon as possible.
“In the new council year, Warrnambool has access to funding to make a start on improving the city centre,” Cr Harris said.
“The people of Warrnambool have been calling for improvements to the CBD. We have the plan in place and it is time for the council to act on this important issue.”
The plan’s recommendations include widening the footpath in the restaurant area to allow outside dining.
“We would still have a two-way flow of traffic and maintain angle parking, but by widening the footpaths we would slow traffic movement and make it more pedestrian-friendly,” he said.
“It will be safer and more attractive for people to visit and create a Lygon Street-like atmosphere.”
Cr Harris said he believed the proposed changes would complement the nearby Lighthouse Theatre and would be welcomed by adjoining businesses.
He said there were options for seating and landscaping of the Civic Green.
“At the moment it is underutilised and basically only used for special events,” he said.
“People don’t want to go there and sit on damp grass.
“With Deakin University moving into the Regal Shoppe nearby, there is a real opportunity to upgrade the Civic Green to appeal to students. That could also include introducing wi-fi facilities.”
He said removable seating would allow the green to still be used for major functions.
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