We developed a Shopping Centre Improvement Plan to support local businesses and help create an attractive setting for people to enjoy.

The plan identified streetscape improvement opportunities at 42 shopping centres across Boroondara, including upgrades to Ashburton’s Solway Shopping Centre.

Improvements to Solway Shopping Centre aimed to:

• enhance the shopping centre’s appearance and character
• create a safe, functional and pedestrian-friendly environment
• create opportunities for longer stays with public spaces for sitting, relaxing and outdoor eating
• enhance the streetscape appearance with the use of consistent materials and street furniture
• support local businesses by creating an attractive setting for customers to enjoy
• improve pedestrian amenity with new footpath surfaces, furniture and raised, more accessible crosswalks with tactile pavers.

In August 2021, we sought your feedback on the draft concept plan to inform our future works.

The final design has been developed based on the key themes we heard from the community during consultation. Some of the key features include:

• changes to street furniture to improve use of the area: We have moved and removed some street furniture based on feedback from residents and traders. This includes changes such as moving rubbish bins from outside the old milkbar closer to the café and moving bicycle hoops closer within the shopping centre
• upgraded car parking bays: The 90 degree car parking spaces will be upgraded to meet current standards, including consistent bay widths and a buffer zone to moving traffic. This will make it easier to park your car when visiting and leaving the area
• widened footpath: The footpath along the school boundary will be upgraded to improve access. We will install wheel stops in the car parking spaces for pedestrian safety and access
• improved accessible car parking bay: The existing bay will be improved in line with current standards. This includes providing a shared space next to the bay and a ramp for access to and from the footpath
• improved sightlines and pedestrian safety: The intersection of Taylor Street and Winton Road will be improved with realignment of the kerb, renewed line markings and construction of new kerb ramps for safety.

To create these new public spaces and pedestrian-safety improvements, we reduced existing concrete and asphalt areas. We replaced these with garden beds and planted out some crossing points. We added 3 median planting beds to protect parked cars from the existing electricity poles. This resulted in the removal of 3 parking spaces.

To assess the impacts of this proposal, a parking occupancy survey has been completed and it was found that there was adequate parking provision within the shopping centre to accommodate this proposed change.

Based on community feedback received, we also gathered traffic speed and volume data along Taylor Street in early-mid 2022 to assess the traffic conditions.

Construction works to improve the shopping centre commenced in early February 2022.

To better manage the parking supply, we looked to introduce a mix of short and longer-term time restrictions for the remaining 90-degree parking bays on the south side of Taylor Street. The introduction of parking restrictions was subject to consultation with affected properties. We sent out a questionnaire including more details following completion of the shopping centre upgrade works.

In conjunction with these works, we planned to refurbish Taylor Street between Winton Road and St Georges Crescent. These works included construction of new kerb and channel, asphalt resurfacing of the road pavement and construction of new drainage where required.