An $8 million revitalisation of the South Australian town of Virginia’s Main Street will get underway this month, creating a regional drawcard for locals and visitors to walk, play and shop, City of Playford Council said in a statement today.
Council says the upgrade will transform the heart of South Australia’s food bowl – the multi-million-dollar Northern Adelaide Plains growing region.
It will deliver a tree-lined street with wider paths for pedestrians and cyclists, while a new playground will be built in Virginia Institute Park.
The design includes provision for on-street, disability and long vehicle parking, while stormwater will be managed through the installation of improved infrastructure.
City of Playford Mayor, Glenn Docherty said Virginia was one of the north’s fastest growing towns, with a population that is expected to triple to about 6,000 people over the next two decades.
“Revitalising Virginia Main Street is an exciting and important project for local residents and businesses,” Mayor Docherty said.
“Virginia is the heart of South Australia’s multi-million-dollar market garden industry and rightly deserves a main street to match.
“We are building a street that people will want to visit and which the local community can be proud of. A new playground at the Virginia Institute Park will be a destination for families.
“The project will lift the appearance of the area, support business and bring people together.”
The project work also includes the planting of more than 70 trees.
Approximately 500 metres of the main street will be upgraded between the Virginia Sports Oval and just south of the intersection with Penfield and Sheedy roads. Included will be a Gawler Road entry statement to create a sense of arrival to the main street.
Construction by Axiom Projects SA is expected to be completed by mid next year.
The project is funded by the City of Playford Council, a Federal Government Roads to Recovery grant, a State Government Places for People grant and SA Power Networks.
Regular project updates will be available at playford.sa.gov.au/development/virginia
