Traders are celebrating the re-opening of Liebig Street to traffic and that the street works are ahead of schedule.
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Fishtales cafe owner and Liebig Street trader of 25 years Tamara Mahoney said it was great to see the street works almost completed.
Vehicles can now access Liebig Street between Timor and Koroit streets, but they’re unable to travel the length of the street due to works by Powercor and AusNet to replace aging infrastructure at the Koroit and Liebig Street roundabout. The intersection is expected to open in a fortnight.
Currently north-bound traffic on Liebig Street can turn left into Koroit Street. West-bound traffic on Koroit Street can also pass through the roundabout or turn left into Liebig Street. All other lanes are closed to traffic.
Ms Mahoney said the CBD was the “heart and soul of the city” and urged patrons to return to what was affectionately known as the restaurant end of Liebig Street.
She said while the past two years had been tough time for all CBD traders it was time to “recover and relaunch the CBD.”
“We’re lucky we’ve got a very loyal clientele that supported us but it hasn’t been easy,” she said. “We ask people to get on board and come back. Let’s reignite the CBD and get it going again.”
Pickled Pig owner Brenton Banner said he was pleased with the revamp. “It looks great,” he said. “It looks really good. I think it’s clean and modern.”
Mr Banner said traders he had spoken to were happy that the works were almost completed and that it was business as usual again. “They’re happy it’s finished and the street’s open and there’s access to the front of their shops. They’re definitely happy with the result and how it looks and happy to continue trading.”
Warrnambool City Council chief executive Bruce Anson said works were progressing well and finishing touches including furniture, gardens, lighting and grouting needed to be completed.
“We have benefited greatly from being able to work across the full width of the street, which the business owners were in favour of in order for the work to proceed more smoothly,” Mr Anson said. “To have the southern block open to traffic is great, there is still some more work to do though.”
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