• What is the Pakenham Revitalisation Project?

• Pakenham Revitalisation is a long-term priority project that aims to reimagine the future look and feel of the heart of Pakenham.

  The project has been driven by the need to address with rapid population growth, community feedback, consumer preferences and the development market.

  Through these works, we want to create an attractive environment that can host a range of events and activities, both during the day and night. We want to make it safer for people to move through and access our town centre, and attract more visitors to give local businesses the boost they need.

  These upgrades aim to improve community amenity, access, transport and travel, and determine future land use and planning for the town centre.

  Councill will be delivering upgrades in and around Pakenham’s town centre including across Main Street, John Street, Station Street, Drake Place, Pakenham and the surrounding laneways and arcades.

  Works will be delivered across 12 stages, aiming to create a vibrant and prosperous Pakenham for all people and together with the community to bring in more visitors to give the businesses the boost they need.

Timeline

• When will stage 1 be delivered?

• Stage 1 works will be delivered in a staggered way to minimise disruptions to traders and the community.

  • September 2024 – Main Street Central
  • Late 2024 – Main Street Gateway (near the railway line)

  Stages 2 to 12 will be planned and delivered across the next 10 years.
  

• How long will the works take?

• As Council engages with a suitable contractor to deliver State 1 works, a detailed plan will be communicated to all impacted businesses and community to better understand the timeframes and disruptions.

• Why has construction been delayed?

• Council is working to address and resolve several key issues affecting stage 1 construction along Main Street, Pakenham, including Main Street Central and the Gateway.

  Delays are being experienced due to complex design issues with drainage, services and footpath levels across Main Street. This has a flow-on impact with conflicting road closures across the interfacing Victorian Government projects, which don't result in more than one arterial road leading into Pakenham being closed at the same time.

• Will construction impact businesses at Christmas?

• The Major Projects team and Struber have been in continuous communications with stakeholders, keeping them as up to date as possible. We have been providing advice on the works are we are currently working on the design to ensure we get it right before starting works.

  Council is making every effort to work with traders' concerns regarding the busy Christmas period and carry out set-up and preliminary works during September to December and focus on full construction to commence in January 2025.

  Council is looking to ensure that construction methods used will minimise disruptions. These details will be confirmed with the awarded contractor during the tender process.

  An information pack is being developed using the concerns outlined in the trader engagement process with opportunities that address business needs leading into and during construction.

Upgrades

• What improvements are planned for Main Street?

• We will improve Main Street to make it more people focused, vibrant, safe, and accessible for all. The improvements will include:

  • High quality and wider footpaths along Main Street to improve the pedestrian accessibility and experience
  • Raised platform zebra crossings to improve pedestrian safety
  • Parallel parking bays with more accessible kerb ramps to replace the existing angle parking bays and barrier kerb
  • Improved street lighting
  • New seating and street furniture
  • New street trees better suited to Main Street
  • Areas for outdoor dining
  • New ‘all ability signage’ to make it easy to move in and around the Pakenham Activity Centre.
• What changes are planned for the Main Street intersections?
• • We will construct raised platform zebra crossings on all 4 legs of the roundabout at the intersection of Main Street and John Street and at the roundabout at the intersection of Main Street, Station Street and Drake Place.
  • We will improve the centre island of the roundabout at the intersection of Main Street, Station Street and Drake Place so that larger vehicles do not damage the landscaping within the island when turning at this intersection.
  • The raised platform zebra crossings will be set back from the roundabout hold lines to allow for a vehicle to slow without blocking the crossing.
  • The raised platform zebra crossings will improve pedestrian safety and make it easier to cross the roads at these intersections.
• How will street lighting be improved?
• • We will replace the existing poles and streetlights with new poles and modern LED streetlights.
  • The new LED streetlights will provide a higher level of lighting and more consistent coverage over the full streetscape to improve the experience and safety at night.
• What is planned for the street trees?
• • Some of the existing trees in Main Street have grown too large and are causing safety issues, and damage to the road, drainage, and footpath.
  • The younger Crepe Myrtle trees are healthy and will be transplanted to Bayview Road Officer in August 2023.
  • We will replace the existing trees in during 2024 with new trees that are better suited to Main Street.
  • The new trees will be planted,

  - along both sides of the road to provide better shade coverage

  - in tree pits that are designed to support the trees while containing the spread of the roots

  - watered with stormwater from the road and footpaths.

• How will the improvements address stormwater drainage and flooding?
• • We will remove the old stormwater pits and pipes in Main Street and install new stormwater pits and pipes with more capacity.
  • The new stormwater pits and pipes will drain more stormwater underground and keep the road and pedestrian areas free from overland flow in common rain events.
  • We will reshape the road and parking bays in Main Street to keep overland flow between the kerbs.
  • Keeping overland flow between the kerbs will improve flood protection for shops and pedestrian areas in larger rain events.
• Will one-way traffic be considered for Main Street, Pakenham?

• As part of an alternate motion raised in the November 2023 Council Meeting, it was recommended that Council:

  • Provides further consideration towards the potential of one-way traffic flow scenario for Main Street and,
  • Undertakes further assessment of the viability of a one-way traffic flow scenario that potentially may be implemented during future phases of this strategy.

  Council has completed an independent traffic assessment, which has determined that one-way traffic down Main Street is not an appropriate action, as the adjoining and surrounding streets will not cater and support future traffic and development in the area.

Disruptions

• How will Council support local businesses throughout construction?

• Keeping our traders, trading during disruptions

  Council has met with and will continue to meet with impacted traders to understand how to best assist and support business through construction disruptions.

  Once Council engages a contractor to deliver stage 1 works, a detailed plan will be communicated to those impacted.

  To support businesses during the disruptions, Council will provide programs to support them with continued trade.

  Examples of this support include providing communications for special events to promote spend, promotions to assist in boosting foot traffic in and around the Activity Centre.

  The program will be planned to minimise disruptions, with access to shopfronts provided throughout the works program.

  To ensure the local businesses and traders feel supported and informed throughout stage 1 of the Pakenham Revitalisation project, Council has engaged experts, Struber to provide timely updates and face to face engagement.

• What will the general impacts be to Main Street during construction? Will the works be staged?

• Council is completing detailed design plans for lighting, landscaping, and civil delivery for stage 1 construction. Council will be able to thoroughly understand how best to deliver the works and the potential impacts, disruptions and closures required once the designs are complete.

  However, increased traffic and travel times, noise, limited parking, and temporary footpath, carpark and road closures are anticipated in and around Pakenham Main Street.

  It is anticipated that works will be delivered in a staged way to minimise disruptions and maintain access to shops.

  Council is prioritising keeping local businesses open and operational throughout our upgrade works and are committed to maintaining access to local businesses along Main Street.

  Ahead of tender and construction starting, Council is planning to share these plans with local businesses to discuss the staged work plan and ways we will be working to minimise disruptions.

• How will Council assist traders to keep trading during disruptions?

• Council has met with and will continue to meet with impacted traders to understand how to best assist and support business through construction disruptions.

  Once Council engages a contractor to deliver stage 1 works, a detailed plan will be communicated to those impacted. To support businesses during the disruptions, Council will provide programs to support them with continued trade.

Parking

• What changes are planned for carparking?
• • We will replace the angled parking bays on Main Street with new parallel parking bays.
  • The new parallel parking bays will create more space for streetscape improvements including wider pedestrian areas, new seating and street furniture and new areas for activation opportunities including outdoor dining.
  • Parallel parking bays will provide drivers with better visibility and reduce the risk of collisions.
  • The change to parallel parking bays in Main Street will be balanced in the short term with new parking bays in Station Street near Bourke Park and in the longer term within Drake Place. In total, 93 percent of the existing parking bays within the Pakenham Activity Centre will be retained.
  • The new parking bays will be at least 2.3 meters wide and 6.7 metres in length which is suitable for 99% of vehicles (5.2 metres in length).
  • Four on-street accessible parking bays will be located at the centre of Main Street. Additional off-street accessible parking bays will be provided in the James Street carpark and at the Pakenham Community Hospital and Pakenham Station.
  • The new Pakenham Station will include 450 additional parking spaces.
  • James Street carpark has also recently been upgraded, providing an additional 98 spaces.
  • Council acknowledges compromises need to be made. However, activity and number of parking spaces will increase within the wider area. The outcome will be increased foot-traffic, with additional space for more events and activation.
• Where will I be able to find parking?
• • Pakenham Main Street
  • James Street carpark - currently being upgraded to included 98 spaces - works to be complete by February 2024
  • Station Street - will be upgraded to include 40 car spaces in total, which is an additional 21 spaces than what's currently available.
  • Drake Place carpark - 190 spaces will be available
  • Pakenham Station - 623 car spaces will be available once complete
  • Pakenham Community Hospital - 236 car spaces will be available once the project is complete

  There is also additional on-street parking surrounding Main Street and parking is available at Pakenham Central Marketplace.

• Is the parking at the Railway Hotel public, permitted or private?

• The Railway Hotel is in private ownership, including the carpark. The carpark is specifically reserved for patrons of the Railway Hotel, and they do not need a permit to service their patrons.

  The carpark is being impacted by the community parking in the carpark to access other businesses, and by the parking restrictions along Main Street and at the Pakenham Station due to the level crossing project.

Other projects

• What is happening with the Pakenham Community Hospital?

• Council supports the Victorian Government's continued investment into the Pakenham Community Hospital development, which is being delivered through the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA).

  The Pakenham Community Hospital will be a small public hospital managed by Monash Health, located at 67-69 Main Street, Pakenham. Once open, the hospital will provide our residents with access to an expanded suite of crucial health services.

  Although the land is currently in private ownership with Pakenham Place, Council can confirm that all the final tenants have now relocated, which has enabled critical planning, design and site preparation works to progress.

  Unfortunately, Council has not received an updated timeline to confirm when construction on the hospital will start. However, Council is working closely with the Victorian Government to ensure the project progresses and that our residents are updated regarding this important health infrastructure project.

  Council has also been advocating with the current property owners to ensure the safety and amenities around Pakenham Place are continued to be maintained before works start.

  Maintenance works around the site, such as graffiti removal, road repairs, weeding, street cleaning and minor landscaping to ensure the area remains accessible, and safe, are being actioned until any redevelopment takes place.

  Council will continue to play a crucial role in the development of this space to ensure the best outcome for the community.

  For further timeline information relating to the Pakenham Community Hospital, contact the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) at vhba@health.vic.gov.au.

• What is happening with Pakenham Place?

• Pakenham Place, including 65-79 Main Street, Pakenham, is privately owned.

  The Victorian Government has recently acquired a portion of the space with plans to redesign and redevelop. Development, maintenance and operation of the spaces within Pakenham Place is not the responsibility of Cardinia Shire Council, and it is the responsibility of the private landowner.

  Council has been advocating for the redesign of Pakenham Place and is keen to see it developed to provide amenities, jobs and services for the local community. In the meantime, Council has been working with the property owners to ensure the safety and amenities around Pakenham Place are continued to be maintained.

  Maintenance works around the site, such as graffiti-removal, road repairs, weeding, street cleaning and minor landscaping - to ensure the area remains accessible and safe - are being actioned until any redevelopment takes place.

Amentities

• Where will I find public toilets in and around Pakenham?

• Public toilets in close proximity to Main Street are a key consideration in developing a functional Activity Centre and have been mapped below.

  New signage to compliment the upgrades of Main Street will feature directions to existing and new toilets.

  Toilets will be available at:

  • Pakenham Library & Hall - accessible toilets with hoists and changing table
  • Bourke Park - accessible toilets
  • Pakenham Station - accessible toilets within new station
  • Level Crossing Removal Project - Open Space Corridor (2024) - changing places facility with shower
  • Pakenham Community Hospital (2025) - accessible toilets within new hospital

Trader engagement

• Why did Council complete trader engagement?

• Cardinia Shire Council has engaged consultant Struber as experts to undertake a Trader Impact Assessment, in relation to the upcoming construction and development of the Pakenham Revitalisation Project. Council is also following the Victorian Small Business Commission's guidelines for managing disruption.

  The objective is to assess the potential impact on local businesses and identify any emerging key themes and issues. The assessment is part of Council's commitment to working with our community during the initial construction stage, which, when complete, will result in a more vibrant and prosperous Pakenham.

  The upcoming works to Main Street and Gateway aim to enhance pedestrian accessibility and safety, while building a vibrant and prosperous Pakenham that we are proud to call home.

• Why is Council engaging with traders?

• Council's aim is to provide transparency and communication to the traders of Main Street, Pakenham, regarding the upcoming construction and development of the Pakenham Revitalisation Project and its potential impact on local businesses.

  As it's anticipated these businesses will face disruptions throughout construction works, it's important that Council gathers feedback, information and concerns, in order to plan and address as soon as possible.

Public Realm Strategy (Future look and feel of Pakenham)

• What is the public realm and why do we have a Public Realm Strategy?

• The public realm is defined as any publicly owned streets, footpaths, laneways, bike paths, parks, public seating and lighting, lanscaping, publicly accessible open spaces and any public and civic building and facilities.

  
  Council has created a draft Public Realm Strategy to help shape the future look and feel of Main St, John St, Station St, Drake Pl and the surrounding laneways and arcades in Pakenham.

  The purpose of creating a public realm strategy is to create a consistent look and feel for the future of Pakenham's town centre.

  The Public Realm Strategy addresses key considerations for connectivity, access, safety, materiality, activation and economic opportunities.

  We completed consultation in early and mid 2023, asking the community what they thought the current problems were, what they wanted improved and what were our opportunities for growth in and around Pakenham Main Street.

  The main feedback included calls for:

  • Improved lighting and safety
  • Improved accessibility with wider footpaths
  • Better connectivity with crossings and footpaths
  • Improved landscaping and street furniture such as bench seating, shade etc.
  • Improved outdoor dining opportunities.
  • Potential for future events and activities around Main Street

  This feedback is now informing the delivery of the overall Pakenham Revitalisation project.

  View the Public Realm Strategy

  
  

• Has the Public Realm Strategy been finalised?

• The Pakenham Public Realm Strategy was endorsed by Council at the November 2023 Council Meeting and outlines how Pakenham will look, feel, and run in years to come.

  We asked the community for feedback on the current problems in and around Pakenham Main Street, what you wanted to see improved, what our opportunities for growth should be and how you would like the future of Pakenham to look and feel.

  Community consultation was undertaken in August 2023 to test elements of the Public Realm Strategy, with close to 500 people providing their feedback online, at one of the five pop up events or workshops. The key themes the community were focused on:

  • A safe place with better lighting
  • Accessible footpaths and entrances to shops
  • Active with more restaurants and entertainment during the day and night
  • An attractive place, featuring greening to attract people to visit and spend time

  We’ve listened to your feedback and implemented your ideas into the endorsed Public Realm Strategy through:

  • Improved lighting to improve safety.
  • Improved accessibility with wider footpaths
  • Better connectivity with more crossings and footpaths
  • Improved landscaping and street furniture such as bench seating, shade etc.
  • Improved outdoor dining opportunities through seating.
  • Potential provisions for future events and activities around Main Street
• What is an activity centre?

• Activity Centres are the places in a community that people go to shop, work, eat, relax, meet and live.

  Town centres like Pakenham provide a diverse range of jobs, activities and housing for regional catchments that are well served by public transport.

  These centres play a major service delivery role, including government, health, justice and education services, as well as retail and commercial opportunities.
  

  Examples of other Metropolitan Activity Centres include: Box Hill, Frankston, Dandenong, Narre Warren and Ringwood. Plan Melbourne 2017 - 2050 provides more information on this.

• What is wayfinding?

• Wayfinding is a network of signage that guides you in and around the Activity Centre. The new wayfinding signs will be;

  • easy to understand for people of all abilities, ages and languages
  • located at key intersections and decision-making points to show people where they are and help them get to where they want to go.