Work has begun on major facelifts for the Kambah Village and Spence shopping centres designed to improve their attractiveness, facilities and ease-of-use.
The shopping centre upgrades are to be completed next month and are funded under the 2016-17 ACT Budget shopping centre upgrade program.
A total of $300,000 is being spent on the first stage of work at Kambah Village as part of the Kambah Group Centre Master Plan.
More major work at the Kambah Village shopping centre costing $2 million will occur in stage two but is subject to funding being provided in next month’s ACT Budget for 2017-18.
Member for Murrumbidgee Chris Steel said the initial stage one upgrades at Kambah Village will focus on replacing the raised timber deck with new paving and levelling in order to provide more functional outdoor dining areas.
Some walls will also be removed around the central courtyard to open up the area for greater public use.
“The walking connections to, and within, the courtyard area will be improved, including new steps and an upgrade of the ramp linking the courtyard to the shops,” Mr Steel said.
“These initial works also include outdoor furniture including seats, tables, bike racks and a water refill station.
“Landscaping will be improved with new deciduous trees and garden beds to help cool and soften the courtyard, as well as planting to screen the rubbish bin collection area behind the Kambah Tavern.”
Mr Steel said the government had consulted with the community about the scope of the Kambah Village upgrades and that the current work follows on from a preliminary clean-up of the public areas in March.
“Kambah is the largest suburb in Canberra and these upgrades will improve Kambah Village to ensure it meets the Kambah community’s everyday shopping and recreational needs,” Mr Steel said.
Member for Ginninderra Tara Cheyne said that work underway at the Spence shopping centre would improve its functionality, security and appearance.
“The upgrade at Spence shops will improve recreation opportunities with a new community space to be provided for people to gather and spend time,” Ms Cheyne said.
“In addition, the ACT Government is installing new shade sails above the playground, new seats, bin shrouds, picnic tables, bike racks, garden beds and tree plantings.
“The upgrades aim to facilitate movement to and through the shops with pavement, path and ramp works and more parking spaces for people with disability.”
Ms Cheyne said that suburban shopping centres act as a central hub for the community’s shopping needs.
“Whether you visit them on the weekend to pick up bread from the local bakery, or pop in after work to pick up an item or two at the grocer for dinner, suburban shops serve an important retail and community function for local residents,” she said.
“It is important to maintain and improve our neighbourhood shops to ensure they continue to meet the community’s everyday shopping and recreational needs.”
Top photo: Member for Murrumbidgee Chris Steel showing plans for the upgrade to shoppers at Kambah Village.
Image: Plans for work on the Kambah Village courtyard area used in the preliminary consultation.
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