March 22, 2024Posted in:
Residents are being given notice that Council has engaged Killard Infrastructure for the renewal of a water main at the southern end of Station Street in Bowral.
The focus of this project is to replace the water main between Funston Street and Bowral Street. This is separate to the previously completed road pavement reconstruction or water main renewal works done at the northern end of Station Street in 2022-2023.
This upcoming project forms part of Council’s annual water main renewal program which involves renewal and upgrade of critical water mains across the Shire. It is confined to the grassed verge on the western side of Station Street and will not impact any trees.
A new polyethylene pipe will be installed to replace the existing cement pipe in the footpath area, which was originally installed in the 1940’s. It requires an upgrade to keep it fully functional, having burst several times over the last few years. The work being carried out should not disturb the road pavement.
Renewal works are anticipated to take less than eight (8) weeks and will commence immediately with site survey work.
Homes and businesses will not be impacted by water outages except for a brief period when the reconnection to the new main is made (which will be done overnight).
Council asks drivers to be patient and follow the directions of the traffic controllers while
this important infrastructure renewal project is completed, and to slow down when passing the work site.
Work is expected to be completed before May 2024, weather permitting.
February 8, 2024Posted in:
Residents are being given notice that Council is calling for quotes for the renewal of a water main at the southern end of Station Street in Bowral.
The focus of this project is to replace the water main between Funston Street and Bowral Street. This is separate to the previously completed road pavement reconstruction or water main renewal works done at the northern end of Station Street in 2022-2023.
This upcoming project forms part of Council’s annual water main renewal program which involves renewal and upgrade of critical water mains across the Shire. It is confined to the grassed verge on the western side of Station Street and will not impact any trees.
A new polyethylene pipe will be installed to replace the existing cement pipe in the footpath area, which was originally installed in the 1940’s. It requires an upgrade to keep it fully functional, having burst several times over the last few years. The work being carried out should not disturb the road pavement.
Renewal works are anticipated to take less than eight (8) weeks.
Homes and businesses will not be impacted by water outages except for a brief period when the reconnection to the new main is made (which will be done overnight).
Council asks drivers to be patient while this important infrastructure renewal project is completed, and to slow down when passing the work site.
Work is expected to be completed before July 2024, weather permitting.
The Station Street 2024 water main renewal works are currently being advertised for quotation by suitable contractors. Council will release further information as to the timing of the works upon engagement of the successful contractor.
See adjoining map.
July 19, 2023Posted in: Community, Delivering, Development
It was wonderful to be joined by so many community members at this week’s celebration of the great outcome achieved, in close collaboration with our community, on the renewal and revitalisation of Station Street. Council Administrator Mr Viv May expressed gratitude to the many key stakeholders involved in making it happen. Among them, Friends of Bowral, the Australian Garden History Society – Southern Highlands branch, and Mr Les McMahon were acknowledged for their advocacy in the early days of decision-making.
Responding for Friends of Bowral, John Barrett thanked Wingecarribee Shire Council for demonstrating a willingness to listen to what the community wanted “People working together in a strong community with a shared purpose can make the impossible possible,” he remarked.
Dr Meg Probyn for the Australian Garden History Society – Southern Highlands branch, similarly reflected on frustrations with communicating with the former Council. Dr Probyn shared that the heritage Camellia gardens were originally planted to hide unsightly shopfronts, and extended “a heartfelt thankyou to our Council Administrator Viv May and General Manager Lisa Miscamble,” for their community-focused approach.
Mr May offered a reminder that the re-designed renewal of Station Street delivered smoother movement around Bowral while preserving its cherished character and charm, including the heritage pin oaks and heritage camellia gardens which had been earmarked for removal. “All achieved in a financially prudent way that saved rate payers millions,” he said.
Dr Stephen Utick of Camellia Ark Australia presented Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Administrator and General Manager with a “Winter Celebration” camellia plant to mark the occasion and commemorate the bicentenary of Camellias in NSW.
The effect of Council’s new commitment to a community-guided approach to decision-making and planning, coupled with the far-reaching changes we are making to the culture of Wingecarribee Shire Council is being felt by the wider community in many ways. “Good people who had left are coming back to the organisation which is good to see,” Mr May said.
Following the formal acknowledgements of a great outcome for Bowral, gained by a willingness to listen and participate in planning collaboratively, the crowd gathered at Monaco, Bowral to share a celebratory coffee and light catering.
“The renewal of Station Street is one of many projects we are undertaking in partnership with the community, for the community,” Lisa Miscamble said. “We look forward to celebrating more great collaborative outcomes like this, together with our community.”
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February 17, 2023Posted in: Delivering, Roads and Assets
Minimising inconvenience for motorists and local businesses is our priority as Wingecarribee Shire Council takes steps to fast-track upgrades to Station Street in Bowral, following the discovery of hazardous materials beneath the road’s surface.
An overnight report to Council detailed that ‘coal tar’ had been detected beneath the road pavement during construction activities as part of the multi-million upgrade of Station Street. Previous tests undertaken prior to construction found no trace of the product.
Coal tar is a byproduct of the production of coke and coal gas and a known carcinogen. When excavated and removed coal tar does not present any health and safety risks. However, the carcinogens can be ‘activated’ when exposed to extreme heat which can occur during construction activities such as pavement milling and bitumen laying. It is likely the source of the coal tar was from former industries that occupied the site decades ago.
In the interests of public safety Council will excavate and remove the material rather than trying to reuse it on site and close the road in three sections to enable specialist contractors to excavate, remove and remediate the site.
Partial closure will enable the necessary works to be completed promptly and safely, with as little disruption as possible.
- Stage 1 – full road closure between Boolwey Street and Wingecarribee Street for eight (8) working days
- Stage 2 – full road closure between Wingecarribee Street to Merrigang Street for eight (8) working days
- Stage 3 – closure of the intersection at Station Street and Merrigang Street for eight (8) working days.
During the three partial closures, traffic will only be available to northbound motorists.
By employing this construction methodology Council aims to keep the Station Street rehabilitation and upgrade on track for completion in time for reopening by the April Easter holidays.
Council is committed to maintaining contact with affected business owners during construction and will provide regular updates across its communications channels.
An additional $2 million will be allocated from Council’s upcoming 2023/24 Capital Works Program to manage the hazardous materials.
December 6, 2022Posted in:
Construction works on the car park located at the southern end of Station Street in Bowral are expected to be complete in time for Christmas.
Council’s Director Service and Project Delivery Karin Targa said pending favourable weather, the car park was on track to open to the public on Thursday 15 December 2022.
“The southern carpark is a major component of the Station Street Renewal Program,” she said. “And on completion it will provide an additional 140 car spaces for motorists visiting Bowral.”
Ms Targa said in addition to the opening of the car park the current pavement rehabilitation works would also be wound down for the Christmas period.
“From 22 December the traffic barricades will be re-aligned along Station Street enabling two-way traffic to resume along the thoroughfare,” she said. “This will remain in place until the 9 January next year when it will be re-instated to allow Council to complete the rehabilitation works.”
Ms Targa acknowledged the repair and renewal of Station Street had been a complex and challenging project.
“Where possible we have tried to work outside of core business hours and maintain vehicular access,” she said. “We know however that there have been some unavoidable disruptions and traffic congestion.”
“We wish to thank drivers for their continued patience and the flexibility impacted business owners and shopkeepers have shown as we progress these important works.
“Their support and understanding have been critical to the amount of works that we’ve been able to complete thus far.”
In addition to the southern car park and road pavement works nearing completion, restoration activities continue in the historic camelia garden at the northern end of Station Street. This will be further followed by the reconstruction of the northern car park within the train station precinct, new kerb and gutters and installation of improved lighting and pedestrian access.
For more information on the Station Street Renewal Program, visit wsc.nsw.gov.au/Project-Directory/Station-Street-Renewal or contact Council on phone 4868 0888.
