Chinatown open for business as usual when major streetscape upgrades commence
$6.9 million streetscape upgrades commence this month on Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace
Chinatown stores will maintain normal operating hours throughout construction
Temporary road closures in place during construction stages
Broome’s Chinatown Revitalisation Project is entering its next stage, with construction soon commencing on major streetscape upgrades in Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace. Works are expected to commence late September and be complete by the end of the year.
The $6.9 million upgrades funded by the State Government and the Shire of Broome, will be completed by construction group Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd and include improved shade during the day and lighting at night, alfresco meeting places and street furniture, trees and green space plantings and traffic calming measures.
Broome Shire President, Harold Tracey said the start of construction for the Carnarvon Street ad Dampier Terrace upgrades is a major milestone event.
“This sub project is pivotal to the Chinatown Revitalisation works as it represents the biggest portion of works to be undertaken during the lifetime of the Chinatown Revitalisation Project.”
“Extensive community consultation, research and planning has gone into this project to ensure the final designs, and community and economic outcomes are delivered on.”
“It’s such an exciting time to see everyone’s hard work paying off as works on the ground commence, and I’d like to personally thank the Broome community and Chinatown traders in advance for your patience and support while we deliver this transformational project that we’ll benefit from for decades to come,” Cr Tracey said.
Pre-construction works commencing late September include service location and dilapidation surveys being conducted to ensure all buildings in the construction area can be monitored throughout the construction period due to the scale of the construction works. Major construction works will then commence with roadworks, streetscapes and footpath construction on Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace being carried out.
During the works, temporary road closures will be in place on Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace. Pedestrian access in all areas will be maintained throughout the entire construction period. Downer EDI Senior Project Manager, Justin Carr said a key focus for his team was to mobilise in Broome immediately and begin working with the Shire of Broome, local contractors and Chinatown traders to ensure a seamless project delivery that causes as little disruption as possible.
“We’re fully aware Chinatown traders need to continue operating their businesses with as minimal disruption as practically possible throughout the construction period and together with the Shire of Broome we will be fully supporting this” said Mr Carr.
A representative from Downer EDI will soon be appointed as the project’s community contact for Chinatown traders to call with construction queries that may arise during the works. Access and road closure maps for construction areas, including temporary road closures, will soon be advertised and made available on the Chinatown website and Facebook page to help minimise inconvenience to the community.
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About the Chinatown Revitalisation Project
The $12.7 million Chinatown Revitalisation project is being delivered in partnership by the State Government and the Shire of Broome, with $10 million funding from Royalties for Regions, $2 million from the Shire of Broome, and $700,000 from Tourism WA.
The project includes 10 sub-projects all designed to reinforce Chinatown’s position as the ‘Heart and Soul’ of Broome – the historic, cultural and hospitality centre of our town. These sub-projects include feasibility studies for larger, potentially transformational projects, as well as design and construction of significant street and landscape upgrades to Carnarvon Street and Dampier Terrace to make the precinct more attractive and encourage activity.
Implementation of the projects and oversight of the feasibility studies is being undertaken jointly by the Shire of Broome, Kimberley Development Commission and LandCorp. A Community and Stakeholder Reference Group has been established by the Shire and consultation with the wider community and key stakeholders will continue throughout the process.
