The Welsford Street Upgrade is a six-stage project that seeks to cater for Welsford Street’s role as a busy north-south arterial road, by increasing road capacity while improving traffic flow, safety and amenity for vehicles and pedestrians.
The upgrade is a key outcome of the Shepparton CBD Strategy 2008 and the Shepparton and Mooroopna 2050: Regional City Growth Plan, which seek to improve access to the CBD by reducing through traffic and redirecting freight and non-local traffic onto alternative routes. The six-stage upgrade will aim to gradually improve the amenity of the Shepparton CBD by relocating non-local and heavy traffic to Welsford Street, and creating a safer and more pedestrian attractive environment on Wyndham Street.
To date, Council has constructed Stages 1 to 4 of the upgrade between Knight Street and Fryers Street.
Council has prepared draft concept designs for Stages 5 and 6 of the upgrade, which will seek to upgrade Welsford Street south of the Fryers Street intersection, to the intersection of Wyndham and Sobraon Streets.
The draft concept designs have been prepared by Stantec Australia Pty Ltd and have been informed by undertaking transport network modelling, comments from Council officers and State Government agencies, as well as submissions received from the community during the pre-draft consultation phase which took place between 25 July 2022 and 26 August 2022.
The features of the draft concept designs include;
- Intersection improvements at Welsford Street/High Street, and Sobraon/Wyndham Street with additional turning lanes;
- Modified intersection at Welsford Street/Vaughan Street to allow for only left-turn in and left-turn out movements with improved pedestrian infrastructure;
- A new pedestrian and cycling shared path on the western side of Welsford Street; and
- The retention of most trees where possible;
- Undergrounding powerlines in Welsford Street where possible
“The draft concept designs for Welsford Street Stages 5 and 6 propose significant changes to traffic movements and access in the area and it’s important that the community are aware of these potential changes and have their say,” Mayor, Cr Shane Sali said.
“The draft concept designs have been informed by community and stakeholder feedback along Welsford Street. They have been carefully designed to cater for an increase in traffic movements in the area while retaining as many trees and car parking spaces as possible, and improving the area for pedestrians and cyclists.
“When the final stages of the Welsford Street Upgrade are constructed it will greatly improve road capacity, safety and amenity within the Shepparton CBD for motorists, pedestrians, and retailers.”
Draft consultation will take place from today, Monday 21 August 2023, and will close on Monday 18 September 2023, with details available on Council’s Shaping Greater Shepp website.
Feedback can be emailed to council@shepparton.vic.gov.au, completed online at Shaping Greater Shepp or posted to Greater Shepparton City Council, Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton VIC 3632. Residents can also request a 20-minute one-to-one appointment with Council officers to discuss the draft concepts. These are available at the following times:
- Thursday 31 August 2023 5pm – 8pm
- Friday 8 September 2023 1pm – 4pm
- Wednesday 13 September 3pm – 6pm
Any feedback received will be considered when preparing the final concept designs. These will be used by Council officers to inform detailed designs and cost estimates that can be included in Council’s 10-year capital works program for consideration, and to be accounted for in a future Budget for eventual tender and construction.
Further information about the Welsford Street upgrade can be found on Council’s Welsford Street Redevelopment Project page.
