As we wrap up work on Karrum Karrum Bridge, our attention is turning to the removal of the level crossings in Carrum.
It’s a unique opportunity to revitalise the area and leave a lasting impact with improved connectivity and vibrant community spaces for Carrum.
Designs for the $50 million transformation of Carrum have been updated based on what we heard from the local community early this year.
The community called for natural yet functional spaces that can be enjoyed all year round. Places to gather and eat food from local traders and areas to picnic or BBQ, that mix formal tables and seating with stone, timber and recycled materials to reflect Carrum’s seaside setting.
The area will be transformed, creating 4 new spaces, a new park at the Carrum foreshore, a village green at the shops, new town square at Carrum Station and a station garden at Walkers Road.
Over 1.2 hectares of open space will connect and enhance Carrum’s beachside feel with a mix of native and statement trees, and more than 80,000 shrubs and grasses to provide shade during the hot summer months.
The updated designs include a new building in the beach promenade, shade canopies, seating terraces and generous grassy areas for sunbathing and events, creating places to enjoy any time of the year.
We also heard locals want to reflect Carrum's rich history by including local Indigenous art and design features into the design.
Our team is currently working on concepts that will reflect this feedback and investigating opportunities to reincorporate part of Carrum’s history into the design, through preserving and repurposing materials from Carrum Station and Seacombe House at 641 Nepean Highway.
With the level crossings at Station Street and Eel Race Road set to go and McLeod Road being extended to the Nepean Highway to form a beachside promenade, the revitalisation will make it safer and easier for people to access the things they love about Carrum.
The direct connection between McLeod Road and the Nepean Highway with no boom gates will provide a more direct route, removing the need for these vehicles to use backstreets to avoid the existing congestion problem and giving local streets back to the locals who use them.
We will continue to update the design to feature elements we heard are important to the local community and keep you posted as we progress towards the final design.
Check out the latest designs in the gallery below and let us know what you think.
Earlier this year we opened a road bridge connecting Carrum and Bonbeach, and today that bridge got a name.
Alongside the Bunurong Traditional Owners, we unveiled a plaque with the name: Karrum Karrum Bridge. It’s a fitting name for the bridge as it pays respect to the Bunurong peoples and acknowledges traditional values, and the original name of the area for over 10,000 years.
With over 200 submissions, we received a lot of feedback about inspiring local identities from Carrum and Bonbeach. We are looking for ways to recognise these local heroes into the design of the Patterson River shared use paths.
Locals have been calling for a second road bridge over Patterson River for decades, and with over 1000 people coming along to the opening event in September, it showed the overwhelming support from the community.
Karrum Karrum Bridge will be an important link for the community during level crossing removal and revitalisation works in Carrum and will minimise disruption to commuters with a safer and more direct connection for locals between Bonbeach and Carrum.
With the bridge opened and named, Carrum is set to be transformed with a $50 million revitalisation which will boost business and enhance liveability in the bayside suburb.