Residents in Melbourne’s northeast have had the first look at landscape concept designs for Eltham’s southern gateway, a community-led initiative supported by Nillumbik Shire Council and Major Road Projects Victoria.
A timber boardwalk path, a variety of seating, signage and a key piece of public art are included in the new designs, showing how the Eltham Gateway Project will enliven both sides of Main Road between Falkiner Street and the Diamond Creek Bridge.
The future Eltham Gateway is slated to enhance almost 2,000 square meters of invaluable green open space, an area almost twice the size of an Olympic sized swimming pool for locals to relax and enjoy.
The announcement is the culmination of detailed planning and consultation.
The first stage of the Eltham Gateway Project will begin in early next year, with a wide-ranging package of works set to deliver the new pathway and boardwalks, meeting circle and seat, a boulevard of white trunk trees, new trees and vegetation, rock placement, artwork installation and fencing of the creek.
The second stage will begin following completion of stage one and will see additional seating, planting and rocks, an entry fence and signage installed.
Nillumbik Shire Council, Major Road Projects Victoria and the Southern Gateway Renewal Group have been collaborating on the project since it was announced in May this year.
Information sessions held during July and August 2022, created opportunities for locals to provide feedback on the conceptual designs for the project.
The revitalised southern gateway into Eltham has been designed to limit the impacts on parks, with a revegetation program of hundreds of native trees and shrubs included in the conceptual designs.
Work to date has focused on how public parkland will become something for everyone, representing the community feedback from more than 160 people who shared their thoughts through the Participate Nillumbik portal, with a majority requesting a less formal design and plantings.
New pathways deliver opportunities to integrate with existing shared use paths at the Lower Eltham Park and the Main Road-Fitzsimons Lane intersection, in a big boost to Eltham’s liveability.
The Eltham Gateway will be delivered now that four busy intersections have been upgraded between Leane Drive in Eltham North and Foote Street in Templestowe.
The Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade is scheduled for completion in 2023, with the Eltham Gateway ready for locals to enjoy in 2023.
Visit the the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade webpage for more information.