Shaping of George Street, Hawthorn Streetscape and Creekline

Closure of George Street and Cameron Street Intersection (December 2024)

Our contractors are approaching the end of the George St Bridge Renewal, and expect to have the road resealed on the 18 December, weather permitting.

To complete the last of the kerb and pavement reconstruction prior to the asphalt being installed, we will need to close the Cameron St / George St intersection for about 10 days, commencing from Monday 9 December.

All properties will remain accessible from Durdin Rd, and pedestrian access across Geroge St to and from the reserve will also be maintained.

Thank you for your patience over the past months, and look forward to getting this area open again before the Christmas break.

Consultation Outcomes

Thank you to those who provided feedback in relation to plans for the George Street vehicle bridge site streetscape and creekline.

We received 42 responses via the Your Say platform, with the vast majority of respondents living in the suburb of Hawthorn. We also received one response via email and a meeting with the Friends of Brownhill Creek was held to gain their perspective on the plantings and creek works.

Feedback received for the zebra crossing was very mixed with almost equal levels of support and opposition to the proposal. Contrasting pavement and street print was mostly supported, however, the requirement for contrast paving is lessened by the removal of the zebra crossing. Street print elements will be investigated as part of the road surface construction.

The majority of respondents (83.3%) supported the re-alignment of kerbing to increase verge space, rain gardens and planting opportunities. Proposed plant species for the verges and creekline were also supported by the majority of respondents (76.2%) and more detailed feedback was received from the Friends of Brownhill Creek.

A slight majority of respondents (57.1%) of respondents did not support more public art in this space. Examples included street art, reserve installations, entry statements, signage etc.

Direction Forward and Schedule

Based on the feedback received, the final surface treatment design will be amended as follows:

• Removal of the proposed contrast paving, zebra crossing and lighting upgrades (these elements will not be installed)
• Incorporation of the re-alignment of kerbing and additional planting in the verge, including the installation of rain gardens to treat stormwater prior to discharge into the creek
• It is proposed that a single on-road carpark space is maintained on George Street due to the direct impact of parking loss on a nearby property
• That no further public art is installed as part of this project

Incorporating feedback received from the Friends of Brownhill Creek, we have committed to the delivery of riparian plantings to rehabilitate the impact to the creekline. Natural stone render will also be used to finish the upright retaining walls to align with projects delivered by the Brownhill Keswick Creek Board.

The expected delivery schedule is summarised below:

• Road surface construction has commenced and is expected to be completed by Christmas 2024, subject to weather
• Planting will occur at a later date by a specialised landscaping contractor following road surface construction
• Upright retaining walls and down-stream creek works are scheduled to be completed in mid-November 2024
• Natural stone render finish on the upright retaining walls will be completed in the new calendar year, with expected completion in February 2025

If you require any further information, please contact Jack Fanning, Team Leader Design and Delivery via email yoursay@mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au or on 1300 133 466.

Background

The replacement of the vehicle bridge is underway, and at a Council meeting on 12 December 2023, Council supported undertaking a re-design of the streetscape of George Street, Hawthorn to enhance the environmental outcomes of the project and prioritise connectivity of the reserves.

The Design

The re-design aimed to provide a concept showing all priorities identified in the community engagement and allow residents to further shape the surface treatment, allowing a place making opportunity for George Street, Hawthorn.

Community engagement in 2023 showed a desire for linkage between Delwood Reserve and J.W. Morris Reserve, greening, riparian creek rehabilitation and so Council has prepared a concept plan that proposes the following elements:

• A zebra crossing to prioritise pedestrian traffic (this would require lighting upgrades at this location);
• Terracotta streetprint to improve driver awareness when approaching the zebra crossing;
• Re-alignment of kerbing to increase verge green space and planting opportunities (this would reduce carparking spaces);
• Installation of raingardens adjacent to side entry pits to improve street amenity and water quality prior to discharge into the creek.

We invite your feedback on these elements and local knowledge and expertise regarding the planting selections for both the verge and creekline. The aim is to rehabilitate the impacted creek banks immediately downstream of the bridge, similar to what was achieved outside of Mitcham Memorial Library.