Stage 3 FAQs

The Project previously known as the Koroit Streetscape Plan, has been in development since 2019 through a program of community engagement, planning and design work, with the Streetscape Plan adopted by Council in November 2021. The project covers the main central business and recreation areas of the town from Bega to the Commercial Hotel, High Street from Commercial Road to the Botanic Gardens, and the Village Green.

The renewal project will support economic activity and residential growth in Koroit through the development of functional and attractive streetscapes in the town’s commercial centre.  

Stage 1 and Stage 2 works have been completed with new footpath, street furniture, drainage and general landscaping works completed on the northern side of Commercial Road between Station Street and Woolsthorpe Road.

Stage 3 of the project incorporates aesthetic and functional improvements to streetscapes and infrastructure in Commercial Road and High Street, Koroit. 

Works in Commercial Road will be completed between High Street (Mickey Bourke's) and Commercial Place (Koroit Theatre). Works will include:

• Installation of new bluestone footpath paving
• Construction of new charcoal coloured concrete driveways from property line to kerb
• Installation of new street furniture
• Minor drainage works including property stormwater works from property line to kerb

Works in High Street will cover Commercial Road to Horne Avenue and include:

• Drainage network upgrades including lifting the height of current bluestone guttering and relaying of the existing bluestone blocks
• Installation of new concrete footpath
• Road levelling, resealing and asphalting and provision of new car parking spaces
• Replacement of any existing street furniture
• Replacement of current street trees as part of required drainage, car parking and road improvement works
• Provision of two new public bus stops close the senior citizens and library and the northern end of High Street, and a new school crossing at King Street

Commercial Road

It is currently proposed that the current trees in Commercial Road between Mickey Bourkes and the Theatre will be removed.  Many of these trees are either in very poor condition and are/or will damage the footpath.   At this stage, it is not proposed to replace trees in this area, however Council is open to community input on whether any trees should be planted. 

High Street

The trees currently planted on both sides of High Street between Commercial Road and King Street will be removed and replaced.  This landscape element of the works was endorsed in the adopted 2021 Koroit Streetscape Plan and removal is required due to:

• Location of trees under powerlines
• The need to raise road guttering and road renewal works including road levelling
• Improved car parking provision including accessibility and safety  

Tree replacement will include provision of surrounding beds in a similar design to those already in place. 

Tree species proposed for High Street are:

• Eucalyptus olivacea 'Summer Sensation 
• Eucalyptus preissiana ‘Bell-fruited Mallee’
• Eucalyptus lansdowneana ssp albopurpurea Purple Patch
• Eucalyptus pulverulenta 'Baby Blue' 
• Eucalyptus tetraptera ‘Square-fruit Mallee / Four-winged Mallee

Council has secured $2m of support funding from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions program.

Council is also providing a further $2m in matching funding delivering a total project budget of $4m for both the Commercial Road and High Street works.

Works in Commercial Road will commence in October 2025 at the High Street end.  Access to Mickey Bourke's will be co-ordinated with the property owners and licensees to allow for patron access to the building either from High Street or from Commercial Road. Works will be halted from early December until early February 2026 to minimise disruption to local businesses over this important trading period. 

From early February 2026 works will continue from the eastern end of Commercial Road and works at the Koroit Theatre area will commence mid-March to ensure completion prior the Koroit Irish Festival at the end of April. Council will work with the Theatre Committee in providing access to building during works. 

It is anticipated that works in High Street will commence prior Christmas with upgrades to the below ground drainage network between King Street and Horne Avenue. Other High Street works will commence in early 2026 with final detailed design plans for High Street nearing completion. 

Stages of works delivery will be updated through project communications with local businesses and residents across the life of the project along with project updates on Council’s Engage Moyne website.

As with any major project of this nature, there will be disruptions during works. Council will be directly overseeing the project with contractors to minimise impacts on businesses, residents and visitors. Dedicated officers from Council’s Project Management Office and Engineering will be on site daily. 

There will a rolling program of footpath and car parking closures so traffic and pedestrian management will be in place for the duration of the works.   

Disruption to access to properties and businesses will be kept to a minimum with works in Commercial Road and High Street completed in sections. This may mean that sections of the road and footpath may be at times partially or fully closed 

Other disruptions may include noise, dust, additional works vehicles and plant on site, works barriers and site fencing. Drivers and pedestrians are required to follow all traffic and pedestrian safety measures put in place. 

Council will maintain an open line of communication and project information through letterbox drops, project notifications in the Standard newspaper, social media, Council’s online project information page, site walks including property and business owner visits.

The heritage plaques that are located along Commercial Road will be retained and will be inset into the new footpath at their current location with feature cobblestones.

Due to the significant cost to underground the power in Commercial Road, these works are not being undertaken as part of the Renewal project.