The council in Melton, Australia, is considering a plan to transform High Street, a four-lane road with heavy traffic, into a more pedestrian and bike-friendly area by replacing two lanes with a separated commuter cycleway, a shared path, and a wider median strip. This change would require approval from the Department of Transport and Planning due to High Street being classified as a state highway. Queensland-based property company QIC, which owns the Woodgrove shopping center, disputes claims that it is taking business away from central Melton, but the council argues that the shopping center’s expansion has contributed to High Street’s decline.
High Street, once a bustling commercial heart in Melton, has lost customers to Woodgrove, prompting concerns from local businesses. Kris Testi, a lifelong resident and the manager of Melton Florist, notes that many people are unaware of the retail businesses on High Street and worries that a makeover of the area may not succeed without addressing social issues such as homelessness. The council is considering adding more housing in the central area of Melton to increase foot traffic for local businesses and may sell underutilized parks for higher-density developments.
Accountant Rob Maslak, who has worked in the High Street retail precinct for years, laments that the area is now dominated by take-away outlets and service providers rather than retail shops. He supports the council’s plan to increase housing density in the suburb’s center to encourage more foot traffic and suggests improving public transportation options, as many residents live far from the central business district. The council’s proposal includes building three to six-story developments on small parks in central Melton and potentially relocating the council offices to make way for mixed-use developments.
Melton’s council acknowledges that social issues such as homelessness have increased in the area, with rough sleepers seeking refuge in public spaces like the amphitheater next to the council offices. Business owners like Testi and Maslak agree that addressing these underlying problems is crucial for any revitalization efforts to succeed in Melton. The council’s vision for High Street includes adding bike lanes and walking paths to enhance the pedestrian experience and transform the thoroughfare into a more vibrant, accessible area for residents and visitors alike.
Despite objections from property developers like QIC, who argue that Woodgrove is not responsible for the decline in High Street’s foot traffic, the council remains adamant about the need to revitalize the traditional commercial heart of Melton. Testi recalls a time when High Street was thriving with a mix of businesses that attracted many customers, and hopes that the proposed changes will bring back some of that vibrancy. Maslak believes that increasing housing density and improving public transportation are key components of the council’s plan to reinvigorate the central business district and make it a more attractive destination for residents and visitors.
