Council sought to improve its understanding of what shoppers and traders like about the precinct, the types of improvements they would like to see and gain a better understanding of their preferred look and feel for the centre.

This feedback was received during two phases of community engagement in 2017 and the consultation for the detailed design in 2018.

Information from previous consultations and decisions regarding Beaumaris Concourse Masterplan can be viewed here.

• Replacement of the brick paving with a smoother, safer surface
• A new village square in the east concourse
• More planting and new seating areas
• Safety improvements to road surface and traffic flow through the central car park
• Retaining the natural, green character of Concourse Green

The Concourse will be open for normal trading during the streetscape works. Pedestrian barriers will be used to provide safe access for shoppers while works are conducted.

We request that you observe any signage to ensure your safety and the safety of workers while construction is underway.

We will regularly update the page with any changes to access and parking.

How was the local community consulted on the Streetscape Masterplan?

The Beaumaris Concourse Streetscape Masterplan was developed through extensive consultation with residents, shoppers and traders from 2017 - 2018. There was also regular dialogue with a reference group with representation of traders, individual members of the community and community groups including the Beaumaris Conservation Society, Beaumaris Rotary and the Beaumaris Arts Group.

The consultation involved five stages:

• Stage 1 Issues and Opportunities
• Stage 2 Options
• Stage 3 Draft Masterplan
• Stage 4 Design and documentation
• Stage 5 Detailed design – immediate impact.

For more information, see Developing the Masterplan.

The construction contractor was selected through a public tender process and construction work commenced in April 2019.

Why couldn’t the decorative concrete paving (exposed aggregate) be used for all footpaths?

The decision to use a mix of asphalt and concrete paving was based on a number of considerations, namely:

1. While concrete paving is an attractive surface at the time of installation, it is more readily stained and marked than asphalt and more difficult to repair when service authorities undertake works on the footpath, leading to a patchwork of street repairs. As a result, over time, the asphalt provides a more sustainable finish.
2. Asphalt minimises disruption to businesses and the community during construction, as it has significantly shorter installation times than concrete paving.
3. Asphalt is a common surface in shopping centres, and is used in other centres across the city, including Martin Street and Bay Street in Brighton and Hampton Street, north of Willis Street in Hampton.

Why did the artist’s impressions used in Council communication not show the asphalt footpaths?

Artist’s impressions are produced to give an overall indication of a project. There was absolutely no intention to mislead the community by using the image that predominantly showed the decorative concrete paving featured in the crossovers. Asphalt footpaths have always been part of the approved masterplan that was adopted by Council and readily available on our website.

However, we have learned from this experience and will endeavour in future to present artists’ impressions that accurately reflect all aspects of a project design. We can only apologise to the community who thought that the decorative concrete paving was to be rolled out throughout the Concourse.

Why couldn’t we keep the red brick pavers?

One of the key pieces of feedback from the early streetscape plan consultations was that the red brick pavers were considered an unsafe surface for people with mobility issues. There was a strong preference for the pavers to be replaced with a smooth surface.

What is happening with the old pavers?

Some pavers have been re-used in the concrete seats and bollards to be installed in the centre shortly. The pavers removed from site are being sent to a recycler for reuse as quarry products.

Will the footpath asphalt be unreasonably hot in summer?

Asphalt is commonly used in all urban cities and widely used as footpaths across metropolitan Melbourne. It has been used across Bayside in activity centres and residential streets without complaint for many years. Footpaths in activity centres are shaded by shop awnings and are designed to resist the loading of pressure from outdoor chairs without damage to the surface.

I have concerns about the quality of work on this project

Defects occur on every building and infrastructure project. Council’s Project Manager regularly assesses the quality of works and works with the contractor to rectify defects.

One of the main issues is the area in the South Concourse where Telstra returned unexpectedly after the scheduled NBN works and ripped up Council’s newly laid footpath surface. This will be rectified but was not part of the original scope of works and is a variation to the current work schedule.

Defect inspections are a routine part of contract works. Usually defects are repaired at the end of the project.

What other streetscape features are yet to be installed?

There is some really interesting and attractive street furniture to be installed. The concrete bench bases that have been installed are not finished: concrete seating and timber work will be placed on top. Native landscaping throughout the precinct will add colour and life to the streetscape, completing the vision of the streetscape plan. At the completion of the streetscape works, traders will put out their signs, tables, chairs and umbrellas, further adding to the ambience of the shopping precinct.

I’ve heard that there was a Notice of Motion to stop the works at the Concourse?

Southern Ward Councillor, Laurence Evans, presented a Notice of Motion to the May 2019 Council Meeting, raising concerns on behalf of some residents and traders about the asphalt footpath surface and asking for a report from Council Officers on alternatives. This report was considered in June 2019 and a number of local residents and traders addressed the meeting where Councillors considered all points of view.

After a lengthy debate, Council resolved to continue with the works as planned and reassess the overall ambience of the centre at the completion of the works. There was feedback from traders who did not want any further disruption to trade by changing footpath materials mid-way through the project. To vary the contract and introduce new materials would delay the project substantially as changes needed to be costed, ordered and take longer to install. Other people simply did not like the look of the asphalt pavement.

What effect will the petition have that is circulating around the Concourse?

Petitions are tabled at the next available Council meeting after which they are sent to Councillors or staff. While the process does not allow people to speak to the petition itself, Council meetings allow any community member to lodge specific questions to be answered at the meeting. Questions must be received in accordance with the online form on our website or call our Governance office on 9599 4444.

Councill will decide on action to be taken in response to the presentation of a petition.

We encourage the community to wait until the works are finished to fully appreciate the vision of the Streetscape Masterplan and assess the liveability of the precinct. There may be an opportunity to make some adjustments to the Concourse streetscape based on community feedback, once the project is completed. Council is reluctant to affect the economic viability of the Concourse by prolonging construction during the busy Christmas trading period.

When will the works be completed?

Weather permitting, the works are scheduled to be completed by 30 November, 2019.

I’m still unhappy, want to complain or have more questions

Please contact us via email at enquiries@bayside.vic.gov.au or visit Council's website.

For specific questions about the current works, Project Officer, Kavita Thind, can be contacted via email at kthind@bayside.vic.gov.au or call 9599 4758.