Colour and movement: Updated City Walk and the roundabout stand out in the winter sunshine. Photos: George Tsotsos.
Fresh paint, new furniture and a winter ‘clean and green’ is brightening up Civic and Braddon to make the city more welcoming and attractive.
The City Renewal Authority facelift covers City Walk, Petrie Plaza, Garema Place, Ainslie Place and Lonsdale Street and includes the much-loved merry-go-round and the recent installation of more than 100 pieces of new furniture.
The Authority says the merry-go-round pavilion has had a fresh coat of paint with bright pops of blue, pink and yellow on its exterior, as well as being illuminated at night by new interior and exterior lighting.
39 new street trees have been planted around the city centre and Braddon.
In partnership with Transport Canberra and City Services, 39 new street trees have been planted around the city centre and Braddon to provide shade and reduce urban heat during summer.
A thorough ‘clean and green’ is also under way with pavers and paths being fixed and jet-cleaned, garden beds weeded and mulched, and furniture being cleaned.
A $1,166,000 contract has just been awarded to Able Landscaping to complete verge upgrades along parts of Mort Street including demolition works; pedestrian pavements; drainage; lighting; landscaping and street furniture.
City Renewal Authority acting chief executive Craig Gillman said a new lawn area and lawn games, flower planters, tables, chairs, benches and foosball tables have been installed in City Walk, Petrie Plaza, Garema Place and Ainslie Place.
flower beds and green spaces to liven up the area.
A large colourful ground mosaic in Garema Place was also being repainted.
“Civic’s public places provide a meeting space for everyone in the community. Ensuring these are spaces that encourage people to visit, spend time in and make connections is key to creating a successful place,’” Mr Gillman said.
What Garema Place’s merry-go-round looks like now.
“In order to create an appealing and welcoming space, you need to have the right ingredients. The addition of street furniture, greenery, colour, lighting and an extensive cleaning program will assist in enlivening the city centre, hopefully encouraging the community to spend more time in these spaces.”
Upgrades to the Canberra Times Fountain are next on the list, with new lighting to illuminate the fountain to be installed within the next few weeks.
Bright pops of blue, pink and yellow have been added to increase the vibrancy of the city centre.
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The streetscape around City Walk really needs a clean. These additions seem like they've been placed without consideration to the general streetscape they are placed in. Unfortunately timed with half of Petrie Plaza boarded up. That particular area looks desperate and sad.
High pressure hose to wash the place down would make a huge difference
Looks a bit like kindy.
Personally, I would prefer if the streets were reopened as shared zones. Might help the businesses too!
Let's get that Belconnen to Airport tram line running straight down city walk!
Might have something to do with all of the abandoned shops in the area that might be a factor....
Civic is filthy. Maybe clean it before painting stuff?
At the next Council election, we should remind Barr and his mates that there’s more to Canberra than just Civic and Braddon.
How about addressing the needs outside of the inner north for a change.
Sydney and Melbourne heritage buildings?
Elizabeth Ann Thurbon easier said than done. From what I understand they are owned by a bunch of different people, some care, some don’t.
Annie Mills yes it’s a dreadful situation as is. But surely there are obligations to such centrally located Canberra Heritage buildings.
there isn't
Yay! It's been so glum in the city I've stopped going. Maybe a collaboration with Canberra schools/artists/youthgroups to create a paver/tile's creative project to brighten up the grey walkways?
Claire Marie they've done that.
Amanda Evans where abouts?
Claire Marie - pink walkways...
Bean bags-really?
Dianne Thornton And yet there wasn't a spare bean zbah in sight when I walked pasĺ.
Why don’t we splash out to help the people doing it rough this winter???
The furniture (small tables and chairs) in Garema Place looks cheap and tacky. Obviously went for the cheapest furniture. More of the large benches and tables with large coloured umbrellas would have been better.
Penelope Smithers They are pretty good, actually - sturdy, colorful, and very much in use when I have walked past.
i like it too. I think it looks nice not tacky at all. Each to their own I guess🤷♀️
I have used that furniture. It is very sturdy and heavy
It’s still a very depressing walk through to the tram station
Light rail*
They need to invest in Dickson too… particularly with anticipated population growth, etc