Pakenham is going through a big transition, as it moves from a suburb on the fringe of Metropolitan Melbourne, to a destination for thousands of new residents and workers. As Pakenham becomes a destination, we need to be clear about the type of investment and development we want in Pakenham.
The Pakenham Revitalisation project will reimagine the future look and feel of the heart of Pakenham.
Council is working with our community to ensure we are building vibrancy and prosperity and a future Pakenham that we’re all proud to call home.
Project description
The Pakenham Revitalisation project will deliver upgrades across Main Street, John Street, Station Street, Drake Place, Pakenham and the surrounding laneways and arcades.
Works will be delivered across 12 stages, aiming to create a vibrant and prosperous Pakenham for all people.
Through these works, we want to create an attractive environment that can host a range of events and activities, both during the day and night. We want to make it safer for people to move through and access our town centre, and attract more visitors to give local businesses the boost they need.
Project overview
Keeping our traders, trading during disruptions
Council has met with and will continue to meet with impacted traders to understand how to best assist and support business through construction disruptions. Once Council engages a contractor to deliver Stage 1 works, a detailed plan will be communicated to those impacted.
To support businesses during the disruptions, Council will provide programs to support them with continued trade. Examples of this support include providing communications for special events to promote spend, promotions to assist in boosting foot traffic in and around the town centre.
The program will be planned to minimise disruptions, with access to shopfronts provided throughout the works program.
Stage 1 works
We will improve Main Street to make it more people focused, vibrant, safe, and accessible for all. The improvements will include:
- High quality and wider footpaths along Main Street to improve the pedestrian accessibility and experience
- Raised platform zebra crossings to improve pedestrian safety
- Parallel parking bays with more accessible kerb ramps to replace the existing angle parking bays and barrier kerb
- Improved street lighting
- New seating and street furniture
- New street trees better suited to Main Street
- Areas for outdoor dining
- New ‘all ability signage’ to make it easy to move in and around the Pakenham Activity Centre.
September 2024 – Stage 1A – Main Street Central works:
This timeframe is linked to requirements to current funding received from the Victorian Government.
Late 2024 – Stage 1B – Main Street Gateway works:
It is anticipated the second part of Main Street will be delivered in late 2024 to coordinate works with the Level Crossing Project.
As part of these works:
- New parallel parking bays will create more space for streetscape improvements including wider pedestrian areas, new seating and street furniture. Parallel parking bays will provide drivers with better visibility and reduce the risk of collisions.
- 4 on-street accessible parking bays will be located at the centre of Main Street. Additional off-street accessible parking bays will be provided in the James Street carpark and at the future Pakenham Community Hospital and Pakenham Station.
Stage 2 – Community signage
- A consistent wayfinding system across Pakenham Major Activity Centre that is cohesive, efficient and provides clear directions across the town centre.
Stage 3 – Station Street
- Parallel carpark line marking
- Upgrade secondary footpaths
- Consider street tree planting
- Improve connection to Bourke Park
Stage 4 – Drake Place
- Upgrade Drake Place
- Opportunity for mixed-use development with multi-level car parking
Stage 5 – Arcades & laneways
- Opportunity for activation (murals/arts festival)
- Upgrade surface finishes
- Potential to engage local artists
- Upgrade lighting for safety
- Outdoor furniture
- Weather protection
Stage 6 – John Street
- Upgrading John Street from:
-Main Street to Drake Place
-Extension from Drake Place through to Henty Street.
Stage 7 – Main Street North
- Upgrade primary footpaths
- Consider street tree planting
- Street furniture
Stage 8 – James Street
- Formalise James Street carpark
- Multi-level parking
Stage 9 – John Street
- Upgrade primary footpaths
- Consider street tree planting
- Gateway element
- Street furniture
Stage 10 – Henry Street & Cook Drive
- Upgrade footpaths
- Consider street tree planting
Stage 11 – Bald Hill Road
- Upgrade footpaths
- Review uses along Bald Hill Road
- Consider street tree planting
Stage 12 – Key development & opportunities
Funding
Stage 1 and 2 works are jointly supported and funded by the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Funding and Cardinia Shire Council.
Progress update
Tender update
Cardinia Shire Council has made the difficult decision to not proceed with the current tender for Stage 1 of the Pakenham Revitalisation project.
Following market feedback and suggestions outlined in the recent tender evaluation process, Council has decided to postpone presenting the Stage 1 construction tender at the September 2024 Council Meeting.
Council is unable to support the current tender for Stage 1 works, as the evaluation process identified significant complexities and risks that contributed to the project being over budget.
Council will now complete a review to ensure that upgrades can continue to be delivered in future, within budget and in a way that minimises disruptions to the community and local business.
While we had planned to start the Main Street Pakenham works this September, this review now means that the start of construction will be delayed and rescheduled in future.
We remain committed to delivering all 12 stages of the Pakenham Revitalisation Project over the next decade, and believe this pause is necessary to ensure the best outcome for our community.
Council is hoping to provide the community with more information on the outcome of this review in the coming months.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to build a better Pakenham for the benefit of the community.
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Design Plans
Detailed design plans for stage 1 of the Pakenham Revitalisation Project were endorsed at the June 2024 Council Meeting, following extensive community consultation.
Project Highlights
- Council has made the difficult decision to not proceed with the current tender for Stage 1
- Detailed design plans were endorsed in June 2024
- Stages 2 to 12 will be planned and delivered across the next 10 years.
- Several community information sessions were held in July & August 2023
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