Randwick Council will create a new, temporary public plaza on McKeon Street at Maroubra Beach

NOTICE: Liquor Act 2007 – Notice under Part 12 Special provisions relating to COVID-19 pandemic - Streets as Shared Spaces Program - McKeon Street Plaza, Maroubra

(Pursuant to s. 166(2)(b)(i) of the Liquor Act 2007)

Randwick City Council is planning to create a new public plaza on McKeon Street at Maroubra Beach for a temporary period of 6 months commencing on the 8^{th of} October, 2022.

The new space will be created by closing McKeon Street to traffic between Marine Parade and Fenton Avenue for a six-month trial period to provide more space for people.

This project is being funded by the NSW Government Shared Spaces Program. (Round 2) initiative and is aligned with Randwick City's Economic Development Strategy; with the aim of strengthening our economy, enabling community prosperity, creating vibrant places for people to connect and to assist our local businesses with social distancing measures.

For further information please refer to the “McKeon Street, Maroubra Baseline Concept Design Package” or contact Council on 1300 722 542.

The grant program is funding trial projects that strengthen the amenity, accessibility, and economic vitality of a street, and surrounding area. For example, this could include creating pedestrian areas on streets, new landscaping, furniture for outdoor dining, business façade improvements or a program of entertainment.

Community consultation 

The community was able to provide feedback on the project idea, as part of a comprehensive consultation plan, which took place for 28 days, from Monday 30 May to 27 June 2022. During this time, the consultation resulted in:

• 642 visits to the Your Say Randwick site
• 245 survey responses
• 17 submissions

Consultation findings

The feedback demonstrated that there is overall support for the trial project, with many people looking forward to having a place for the community to meet and eat outdoors. There are some concerns about increased antisocial behavior, noise, and parking problems. This will be addressed in the project implementation. Based on the feedback Council will focus on creating a lively place for the community to connect and enjoy what local businesses have to offer. The community feedback will inform the design of the temporary public space including furniture for outdoor dining, performances and play for children, installation of temporary plants and trees, shade structures or lighting. To read the consultation and complete report go to Randwick Your Say

Parking

Angle parking will be introduced at Fenton Avenue, with a total of 29 parking spaces created, resulting on an extra 15 spaces gained. Angle parking lines will be marked week commencing the 26 September. Vehicle access for residents in the adjacent apartments will remain.

Key dates

• Week commencing 26/09/22 -  Parallel Parking line marking on Fenton Avenue.
• Tuesday 4 October - Road closure of McKeon Street from 7am; Installation of Plaza to commence. These works will NOT be noisy. Installation to continue to approximately 10pm
• 5 – 7 October - Installation of shared space materials including decking, planter boxes, play areas and additional tables and seating.
• Saturday 8 October - Official opening of the new space & weekend program starts.

Monthly program of entertainment to be published shortly.

Pre-planning project dates:

• Tuesday 24 May – Business consultation – workshop
• Monday 30 May - Online consultation survey opened.
• Wednesday 15 June – Face to face community consultation – at McKeon Street from 11am to 1pm
• Saturday 18 June – Face to Face community consultation – at McKeon Street from 11am to 1pm
• Monday 27 June – Community consultation closed at 9am
• Thursday 7 July - Removal of fence to be followed by cleaning of footpaths, weeding, mulching flower beds
• Friday 9 September – McKeon Street Businesses Update

Funded by NSW Government

More information

To keep up to date with the project and to view the site map please check back here or sign up to our eNews.

Please contact Council’s Economic Development Team on 9093 6200 or via business@randwick.nsw.gov.au.

Proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Randwick City Council.