Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce members Peter Liakopoulos, Neil Sutcliffe, Mike Hall, Nigel Barr, David Spinks, Rowan Wills, and Bruce Shaw are among those working to bring more people into the village.By Jim Mynard
HIGH Street, Berwick Village will be completely landscaped during the next two years.
Plans for the landscaping will be put on public exhibition within the next month.
Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce vice president Anne Beauchamp said three sets of plans were discussed.
Ms Beauchamp, who has been leading negotiations between the chamber and the council, said some ideas were “great”, but unrealistic in budget terms.
She said they settled on a plan for the village that focussed on a green outlook, pathways, seating, and people safety.
“We will have our footpaths made at the same level, with better crossings,” Ms Beauchamp said.
“We will have pedestrian walkways across the centre median from the Village Arcade at the Clyde Road end of town and one between Jason’s and Shanika’s restaurants.
“There will be no more winding your way among cars to cross the median. The median will become a more parklike area, with more trees, hedges, raised areas, and seating areas.
“In time we will have pushbutton pedestrian crossings.
“This will be an outstanding area with some of the seating areas higher than the cars to avoid fumes.
“A walkway will be established along the lower median from Gloucester Avenue to Clyde Road.
“Paved areas will be established and treed areas will have uplighting to eliminate shadowy spots.
“The area will have garden beds with hedge borders and I believe the centre median from the top of the town to past Clyde Road will be a feast for the eyes.”
Ms Beauchamp said car parks would be enclosed so children alighting from cars would be less likely to run off into moving traffic.
Ninemetre high banner poles will be erected at each end of town providing a guide for the eye into the village.
“The poles at the west end will enhance the Rotary Clock,” Ms Beauchamp said.
“The village will be planned so that we can have plenty of alfresco dining.
“We will have planter boxes and, despite the development, we expect to gain 20 car parks along the median because of a better layout.”
Ms Beauchamp said the plan resulted from a series of meetings between council officers, the chamber, and discussion with traders.
“Standards will be set for things like lighting and umbrellas in the street area,” she said.
“The plan goes on display within the next couple of weeks and I hope everyone supports the chamber’s newlook vision for the village.”
Ms Beauchamp said it was important that traders, who were making significant contributions to the cost of the streetscape works, had a safe shopping environment for their clients.
“This will make Berwick Village special,” she said.
Chamber president Michael Hall said the work would change the face of the village.
“This project will reinforce High Street, Berwick as the lifestyle centre of Casey,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity for us to improve the visual amenity, outdoor activities and recreational areas in the village.
“We expect this also to be the start of facelifts for Paternoster and Adams Lanes to provide links with High Street, and retail access from both front and back.
“This will all be visually appealing and I think it will be absolutely fantastic.
“Berwick is an example of what can be achieved when the council works with the community.
“We have seen this not only with our streetscape plan, but with the Pioneers Park.
“The whole thing is coming together and is magnificent.
“We have it all there in Berwick Village.”
