Construction of the redeveloped Golden Plains Community & Civic Centre (GPCCC) and preparation of the new Bannockburn Heart Precinct continue with tree works underway this week.
At the Bannockburn Customer Service Centre, 2 Pope Street, the construction contractor of the GPCCC will remove seven gum trees. The scope of works on the redeveloped Community & Civic Centre includes landscaping with planting of new vegetation and trees on site.
At the site of the Bannockburn Heart on the corner of Milton and Byron Streets, five gum trees will also be removed. With the new water and adventure playground at this location, these trees presented an issue due to risk of limb drop in this public community space.
In the interests of community safety, these trees will be removed and fully replaced with healthy street trees that will extend the Milton Street streetscape to the eastern side of High Street. These trees planted within the new Heart precinct will match the 30 semi-advanced trees along the Milton Street southern nature strip reserve, a project that was delivered in partnership with the Township Maintenance Team, Beautify Bannockburn Group and Bendigo Bank.
Additional trees including elm, brush box and oak varieties will also be planted at strategic locations throughout the Bannockburn Heart Precinct to provide a natural landscape and shade for the residents and visitors.
Council considers any removal of trees and native vegetation seriously and invests in replanting programs of new trees.
Construction of the Golden Plains Community & Civic Centre
Golden Plains Shire Council is extending and improving the Bannockburn Customer Service Centre, 2 Pope Street, for residents, Councillors and staff. The redeveloped offices will be named the Golden Plains Community & Civic Centre (GPCCC).
The project is a redevelopment of existing offices to meet current and future needs including:
- An accessible, modern and welcoming customer service area for the community
- Private meeting rooms for residents to meet with Councillors and Council staff
- New Council Chambers with more seating for residents, new technology to ensure excellent sound quality and the equipment required to offer live-streaming of Council meetings
- A Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre
- Flexible and efficient working spaces to better perform functions and deliver services
- An environmentally sensitive design
- Accessibility for people of all abilities (Disability Discrimination Act compliance)
The budget for the GPCCC project is $9.5M. The project will be funded from Council borrowings over a 30-year period and will be managed within Council’s annual expenditure forecasts. The cost of the project will not result in any increase to rates.
Every effort will be made to minimise any disruption or inconvenience to all residents in the area during construction with the project scheduled for completion in late 2020.
Construction of the Bannockburn Heart Precinct
Construction of Stage One of the Bannockburn Heart will begin in April 2019.
Stage One of the Bannockburn Heart Precinct will deliver an attractive and welcoming community civic space that celebrates the region’s heritage and culture through performances, functions and events in the centre of Bannockburn. Constructed over two stages, the Precinct will transform and activate the CBD, improving liveability, retail spending, and amenity.
Stage One Preparation Works:
- New shed for the Bannockburn Scouts (completed)
- New car park (completed)
- Relocation of Bannockburn Playgroup (completed)
- Upgrading of fire services to site (completed)
- Power upgrade at the site (completed)
Stage One Precinct Works:
- Water and Adventure Play
- Active recreation equipment
- Public toilet and seating
- BBQ facilities and shade
- Upgraded site for the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market
- Paved plaza, lighting, and landscaping
Stage One of the Bannockburn Heart Precinct will cost $3 million and the project is fully funded by Council, a $1.2 million Federal Government grant, and $566,500 in grants from the State Government ($500,000 from Regional Development Victoria and $66,500 from Sport and Recreation Victoria).
During construction, every effort will be made to minimise any disruption or inconvenience to residents and centre users. The completed project will open for the community this summer.