Streetscape breathes new life into Beerwah

There’s a fresh look and feel to Beerwah courtesy of council’s streetscape upgrade in Simpson Street.

The $5 million works will be officially unveiled on Friday, October 17 in conjunction with the official opening of the Glasshouse Country Festival.

Division 1 Councillor Rick Baberowski said the project had transformed the town-centre into a safer, more pedestrian-friendly and picturesque space that would strengthen local business.

“A lot of hard work from council and the community has gone into this project over the last four years and the end result is one that everyone can be very proud of,” Cr Baberowski said.

“Beerwah is identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2013 as a future major regional activity centre for the Sunshine Coast and these streetscape upgrades will help guide the town’s growth into a major regional activity centre in the future.

“This is a fresh new look for Beerwah that has also retained the modern country feel of what the local community values.”

Key aspects of the upgrade include improvements to road infrastructure and raised pedestrian crossings to create a low speed traffic environment.

New public seating has been installed along with provisions for outdoor dining.

Improved street lighting, increased footpath space and new shade trees are also features.

While the upgrade also included changes to on-street car parking, the total number of car parking spaces on Simpson Street remained the same.

Friday’s event also marks the unveiling of Stage 1of Beerwah Tower Green, an exciting new space on Simpson Street that puts a contemporary twist on a traditional town square.

It features large architectural ‘Butterfly Towers’, stone artworks, seating and gardens and provides an interesting and relaxing space for locals and visitors.

Cr Baberowski said public art had also been installed to reflect the history of Beerwah in a contemporary style.

“Local artist Russell Anderson’s ‘steampunk’ style sculptures are a striking feature on Simpson Street and were inspired by a local legend about a fictional local farmer,” he said.

“Artworks by Russell feature in many high profile public places around Australia including Melbourne, Brisbane and Noosa and it’s terrific to see them in Beerwah.”

The streetscape upgrade also included underground power lines and a new shared pathway along the western side of Simpson Street, part funded by the State Government under the South East Queensland Cycle Network Program.

A community celebration event will be held in Simpson Street tonight from 4pm to 9pm to celebrate the Beerwah Streetscape Upgrade. For more information on this event, visit council’s events webpage: http://events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/

Fast facts of the Beerwah Streetscape Project:

• Total project spend - $5.5 million dollars, with over $4 million dollars from Council, over $1 million dollars from Queensland Government and over $300,000 from Energex

• More than 5000 plants and 60 street trees planted to provide shade.

• More than 3,000 square metres of new and renewed footpaths and more than 1000 square metres of new gardens installed.

• Over 250 metres of major stormwater upgrades.

• Over $150,000 of public art by nationally renowned artists who are local residents

• This is Council’s first extensive use of new LED low energy lighting for a roadway.

• More than 200 sunshine coast traders were involved across the project