Revamp plan for city road

A busy Geraldton road is set to be transformed into a vibrant but safe area for pedestrians and cyclists, with the City seeking community input into its design. The City of Greater Geraldton announced on Friday it would revitalise a section of Chapman Road in the CBD, launching a 12-month trial project to plan how the existing road width between Cathedral Avenue and Durlacher Street could be revamped to attract more foot and bike traffic. Milli Henderson-Pitman, an industrial designer working at The Gerald Apartment Hotel on the corner of Chapman Road and Cathedral Avenue, said she was excited for the area to become more walkable for residents and visitors exploring the city and she had put her hand up to be part of the design work group for the trial. “I think it’s a fantastic thing for Geraldton because it’s a city that has so much to offer and, as we’ve seen from other developments like the Beresford Foreshore, it’s such a benefit to attract more people to the area so they can understand what a beautiful place it is,” she said. “I’d like to see it become more interactive, with greenery, and be pedestrian-friendly. “When a city is walkable you see so much of it than just going from A to B in your car, it encourages people to explore more. I have a design background and lived in Melbourne for the past five years and they have a really great way of encouraging more people to spend time outside.” The City will deliver the project in partnership with RAC’s Reconnect WA initiative, which aims to create vibrant streets and public spaces where West Australians can interact and connect. Mayor Shane Van Styn said he was excited about the project, the first of its kind for the City, which would use low-cost materials to trial another aspect of the Geraldton City Centre Revitalisation Plan. “ It’s important to keep breathing new life into the area, especially Chapman Road, and it’s very exciting to be able to test-drive short-term changes that just might achieve this goal,” he said. “The pilot project will make use of low-cost temporary materials such as tree planters, parklets, art, widened footpaths, pop-up bike lanes and an improved crossing to make a safer, more pedestrian-friendly streetscape that adds vibrancy to the area. “The results of this pilot could inspire changes to other areas of the CBD which have been highlighted for activation in the Revitalisation Plan.” Mr Van Styn said the City didn’t anticipate it would affect traffic much, with the trial expected mostly to involve line marking and inclusion of planters rather than construction. “We don’t envision it will have much disruption to traffic, rather it will formalise a single-lane in each direction and bike path,” he said. The City has invited members of the community to share their ideas on activating the space by taking part in its Digital Ideas competition or by being part of the design working party. Everyone who takes part will go into the running to win one of four $50 EFTPOS cards. Those who aren’t online can submit their ideas in person at the City Civic Centre this Thursday from 9am-10am and next Tuesday between 2pm and 3pm when staff will be on hand to assist with the online forms.