Community members are set to have their say on an upgrade for the main street in Kew.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Around $1,600,000 in funding is available for the upgrades after Port Macquarie-Hastings Council secured $800,000 in grant funding from the Building Better Regions Fund.
Another $800,000 was received in matched funding from Council to continue and finalise a concept plan designed by Sydney engineering consultancy, Lindsay Dynan Pty Ltd.
Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce president Stuart Bate said Kew is the gateway to the Camden Haven and the first impression for visiting tourists.
"Kew is a thriving business centre utilsed by locals and rural residence of the Camden Haven," Mr Bate said.
"Kew has developed a strong community essence and supports the economic and general well being of many people. Improvements to the main street will be welcomed by all as a sense of renewal and validation."
Mr Bate said the Chamber has been advocating for improvements since before the Pacific Highway bypass.
"As a stakeholder the CHCC supports the Kew Business group and continues to invest in Kew, a subcommittee of the CHCC," he said.
"The CHCC is also advocating for improvements to the very first impression people have. The entrance from the Pacific Highway is currently both dangerous and an eye sore."
Residents can give their approval or voice concerns at a pop up session held with council staff on Tuesday, July 7 from 10am to 2pm at Kew Corner Store.
A community meeting will also be on from 6pm on Thursday, July 9 at Kew Country Club.
The improvement works are expected to capitalise on the planned population growth for the area, outlined in the council's Urban Growth Management Strategy 2017-2036.
That documents indicates that some 5500 new residents will flood into new sub-divisions west of Lakewood Shopping Centre through to Kew and Kendall.
Kew Corner Store owner Steffan Andler said the upgrades are 10 years overdue but he's very excited about the potential of the plans.
"We are a busy town and it's going to get busier, so parking is vital I would say," Mr Andler said.
"This is an opportunity for people to speak in person at the consultation sessions about what they want. We are looking good in Kew and we have scored quite a few good things recently.
"We are listening to the concept plan, we are hoping it will go ahead as quick as it can and be finished work in a year and a half. If that's still possible I cannot tell but we are very excited about how far the plans have come."
The main intersection in Kew is an important factor in the plan because of significant traffic going from or to the nearby highway.
A traffic data collection process report was conducted in mid-December 2017 and mid-March 2018.
It found an average of 641 vehicles pass through the Kew Main Street intersection each hour and over two million each year.
Our time has come, we've waited ten years.
- Kew Business Group Peter Newman
Kew Business Group spokesperson Peter Newman said these plans have been in the process since the original bypass was established.
"I would expect there will be quite a bit of feedback because this has been a lengthy process," Mr Newman said.
"There has been extensive consultations to date. My guess is that the meeting will capture the most feedback.
"There has been an updating of the original plans because things have changed over the years. It has taken on a positive and engaging process, albeit on a back-and-forward basis.
"Generally there is a mix of business owners in Kew from tiny micro-businesses to hotels and the Country Club. Businesses are positive about the plan but they want to get it right for the little things as well, generally it is great.
"Our time has come, we've waited ten years."
Around $1,540,000 in capital works funding was allocated to construction of the Kew main street upgrade, under the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council 2020-2021 financial year plan.
Provide feedback on the plans by visiting https://haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/kew-main-street
What else is making news, sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.