Community Consultation - Hannay Lane March 2021

Hannay Lane will benefit from a fresh new look with an additional funding injection received through the RAC Reconnect WA(External link) initiative. The funding will be directed toward a 12 month trial, which will see the popular laneway reverted into a one way street to provide more space for pedestrians.

Ideas for revitalisation, which have been developed in partnership with the Hannay Lane Enhancement Group, include road murals, public art works, recycled planters, street furniture and tree planting. Plans are underway to upgrade Hannay Lane and the parcel of land on the corner of Naturaliste Terrace and Cyrillean Way, known as the ‘Telstra Site’. These upgrades are in keeping with the objectives of the Council endorsed “Dunsborough Town Centre Conceptual Plan” and will complement previous upgrades in the Dunsborough Town Centre.

The project will build upon the vibrancy created by the Djiljit Mia Community Gathering Place and create a pedestrian friendly laneway suitable for community gatherings. Work is due to commence in the first quarter of 2021.

Last year the City sought feedback on the concept plans from Dunsborough town centre businesses. We now want to hear what the broader community have to say!

Feedback is invited on the proposed reconfiguration of Hannay Lane.

The intention is to improve pedestrian access and make the lane more inviting for shoppers, visitors and businesses. Key elements of the upgrade include:

• Converting a section of Hannay Lane to facilitate one way traffic access, without impeding property access or parking.
• Landscaping improvements
• Pedestrian Delineation through landscaping and artwork
• Street furniture, decorative paint work and street pavement art

Hannay Lane has become increasingly important to Dunsborough residents particularly with the introduction of community events in the lane and the development of the Djiljit Mia play space. This upgrade will further transform what is essentially a service lane into an attractive thoroughfare between Naturaliste Terrace and Dunn Bay Road. Please refer to the attached concept plan showing dedicated pedestrian areas, proposed vehicle traffic movement areas and the proposed pedestrian shared zone. Note that service vehicle access and loading zones will be maintained. Note that these works are being carried out on a trial basis to determine the success or otherwise.

Telstra Site

The City also has the opportunity to improve the original ‘Telstra Site’ on the corner of Naturaliste Terrace and Cyrillean Way. The City has negotiated an arrangement with Telstra whereby a portion of this site can be landscaped and utilized as public open space. We welcome feedback from Dunsborough Town Centre businesses on the concept plans for this site – also enclosed here.

Both the Hannay Lane project and the “Telstra Site” upgrade are scheduled to take place this financial year. The projects are expected to take approximately 4 to 5 weeks to complete, subject to weather. Traffic management will be in place and any disturbance to the town Centre businesses will be kept to a minimum. Further information will be provided in the future as to how works will be undertaken to minimize impact to businesses. Pending the final design elements may be undertaken using night works. We welcome any suggestions you may have.

While these two projects are quite separate to the planned upgrade of Naturaliste Terrace, works will complement the future upgrade. The Naturalise Terrace upgrade is planned for the 2021/22 financial year and further community consultation will be undertaken in the near future on this project.

The upgrade of Hannay Lane and revitalisation of the ‘Telstra site’ will generate strong community interest. Please take the time to review the concept plans and provide your feedback online via the City’s Your Say Busselton site.

Submissions are open until 12 March 2021.

Concept plans are available in hard copy at the City’s Naturaliste Community Centre/Dunsborough Library or alternatively at the Administration Office in Busselton.

OUTCOME

The community’s needs, views, concerns and ideas are appreciated.

The City received over thirty submissions which indicated overwhelming support for both projects.

However in regard to the Hannay Lane project, some specific objections were received particularly around vehicle flow. These concerns are considered valid and have been addressed in a review of the designs. The new designs (attached) still achieve a pedestrian/cyclist friendly area and a welcoming community space, however, they do not restrict while vehicle movement to the same extent.

On the basis of this feedback, the City has redesigned Hannay Lane as a ‘shared space’, allowing two-way traffic. There will be delineated walking/cycling areas, reduced speed limits and design elements that deter vehicles from travelling at speed through the area. Public art work will still be a significant component of project along with feature landscaping.

Other areas of concern in relation to Hannay lane that were raised through the consultation process included:

• The location and unsightly nature of bins. The City is addressing this issue with business owners and will continue to pursue a solution.
• General traffic flow through the town centre. Following consultation, the City plans to upgrade the section of Naturaliste Terrace identified as problematic for vehicle flow.

Feedback on upgrading the Telstra Site was overwhelmingly positive and the City will progress with landscaping this additional area of public open space.

Works on both Hannay Lane and the Telstra Site will commence in the near future. While some disruption will be experienced, we will endeavour to keep it to a minimum and provide prior notification of works.

Thank you again for you feedback.