We’ve invited the community to join us on a journey into the future as we examine what lies ahead for one of our busiest growth corridors.
Consultation drop-in sessions to gain community feedback about the future of the Borella Road/Riverina Highway corridor are being held this week, with the feedback to be used in the development of a strategy for further public exhibition.
Those sessions well be held at stalls in Borella Road (near East Albury IGA) from 3pm to 6pm today, and from 10am to 1pm on Saturday.
This phase follows separate consultation in February this year when we asked business owners and residents to share their hopes and concerns for the corridor as our population continues to grow.
It’s all part of planning to ensure the road between the Hume Freeway and Kerr Road is ready to service the growing residential and commercial sectors to the city’s east.
Long-term changes to the corridor will help us to not only improve safety for road users, but will also ensure the busy route is well placed to meet the needs of hundreds of new families and associated businesses in the decades ahead.
Some of the changes under consideration include:
- Improved pedestrian crossings, particularly between the shops and hospital
- Planning for future road duplication
- Road upgrades to streamline access to service roads
- Major intersection upgrades to improve access and safety
The section between Keene Street and East Street is a priority because of a history of accidents in the area, plus the need to improve connectivity between the shops and the hospital precinct.
Apart from determining the best options for the corridor’s development, the consultation will also provide us with information to help seek any potential funding for important works along the corridor in the future.
With the population of Thurgoona-Wirlinga expected to grow to 50,000 in the next 50 years, it’s critical that we plan for improved infrastructure and other services to meet the demand that such extensive growth will create.
The corridor strategy will be used in conjunction with a suite of other plans in place, or in development, to determine the best possible outcomes for our growth areas.
Public feedback will be vital in ensuring any changes that are made meet the community’s needs and vision for Albury in the future and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who took part in last week’s consultation sessions, as well as those who shared their ideas during the February consultation phase.
Of course, council will continue to work closely with the community to achieve those goals and others defined by the community in our shared vision for the future, Albury 2030, and I’m looking forward to gaining further feedback once the corridor strategy is prepared.
Thanks again to those who’ve helped to guide us to this point and as always, we look forward to hearing your thoughts as we work together to ensure our city remains a great place to live, work and invest in the years ahead.