February 2026 Update

We’re getting closer to finalising the Prospero Place upgrades and starting work on beautifying our town centre.

As a recap, last year we asked for feedback on draft designs and over 120 people shared their views. A revised plan was developed in response to the feedback received, however, more time was needed to further scope some of the design elements and explore the approach to construction and budget allocation. We also wanted to give the incoming Council the opportunity to contribute to the project’s final direction.

This opportunity came at the February Policy & Services Committee meeting. While reviewing the updated design, some Elected Members identified areas of the plan that they felt could be removed, including buffer planting alongside the Broadway footpath, and secondary paved footpaths connecting Broadway with the main diagonal path through the green space. Key reasons behind these alterations included a desire to simplify the design and reduce implementation costs where possible.

At the meeting they also discussed funding and delivery options, approving loan funding of $785,000 to complete the works within a single year. This has been made possible due to capital expenditure savings across other activity areas this financial year.

Alongside successful grant funding already allocated to the project, the loan funding helps make up the total estimated cost of $1.2 million, subject to final tender pricing. Council staff are also investigating other opportunities for local organisations to provide donations and in-kind support towards the project.

These decisions still need to be adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 10 March 2026.

Next steps

We’ll share the final design online once adopted and then go out to tender for the work involved in mid-April. The tender process will be in two stages, with site preparation work due to start by mid-June 2026.

Project news and updates will continue to be shared on this project page, through our free Antenno App and in our Central Link newsletter.