Helensburgh Streetscape Masterplan - Project Update

Last year, feedback from the Helensburgh community helped shape the design for upgrades to the corner of Walker and Parkes Streets (Western Terrace) and the stairs. These are the Stage 3 works in the Helensburgh Streetscape Masterplan. We used that feedback to complete the concept plan. We shared the plan on this webpage last year and with people who joined in those conversations. Take a look at the updated plan for the Stage 3 upgrades.

New stairs will replace the existing steep ramp connecting the crossing at Coles to the shops. An accessible ramp and new stairs and will connect the upgraded terrace to the street. There’ll also be new sandstone seating bleachers.

The progress continues and we’re happy to say these works will start in April/May. With good weather, we expect they’ll be finished in Spring this year.

Works on Stage 2 are ongoing and will continue in February - March 2023, after a short break during December and January. The following work has been completed for Stage 2:

• Upgrade of the existing pedestrian crossing and installation of a new pedestrian crossing near the library and pre-school
• Upgraded kerb and gutters on the western side of Walker St
• Improved access via new honed concrete footpath on the western side of Walker St, along with ramps leading up to the shop fronts.
• New roundabout at the intersection of Walker St and Lilyvale St
• Tree pruning on Walker St to improve safety and visibility for shoppers and pedestrians
• Re-turfing of the area below the trees to improve the look of the area

In February – March 2023, the remaining Stage 2 works will be completed, including:

• Upgrading kerb and gutter on eastern side of Walker St, from the pedestrian crossing to Short St
• Widening the western footpath with a honed concrete finish
• Installing new access ramp in front of Coles entrance

Transport for NSW has announced that a 30km/h speed limit will be introduced to the Helensburgh Town Centre on Monday 29 August 2022.

A statement from Transport for NSW on the initiative is as follows:

Work to introduce a 30 km/h speed limit in Helensburgh town centre as part of a long-term vision to make it a safe and welcoming place to visit, stay and shop is set to start next week.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said Transport is working with Wollongong City Council to implement the permanent change to the speed zone from Monday in support of the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions.

“This work supports the vision set out in the Helensburgh Town Centre Plan of a better connected and pedestrian friendly space,” the spokesperson said.

“The 30km/h speed zone delivers on Initiative 10 of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan and compliments the changes made to the town centre to achieve the strategic vision for the area.

“This will be the second 30km/h speed zone precinct in south-east NSW and builds on the success of the 30km/h speed zones installed in the Moruya village centre in November 2021.”

The Transport for NSW spokesperson said Wollongong City Council requested this speed zone change to support the improvements to the Helensburgh town centre.

“The speed limit on Walker and Parkes Streets at Helensburgh will be reduced from Monday 29 August, with speed new limit signs to be installed at each location, weather permitting,” the spokesperson said.

Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of road users and workers.

Electronic signs are in place to alert road users to the change.

Motorists are asked to keep to the displayed speed limit for the safety of all road users.

Members of the community can sign up at the Safer Roads NSW website to receive updates about changes to permanent speed limits in their area and to have a say on speed limits.

For more information visit https://www.saferroadsnsw.com.au.

Council began Stage 2 of the Helensburgh Town Centre upgrade in February 2022. Despite consistent rain, we’ve made significant progress. Work undertaken so far includes:

• Kerb and gutter on the western side of Walker Street under the trees
• Water services have been lowered to allow the road reconstruction
• Road reconstruction completed
• North side of Short Street is partially complete with paving to be completed
• Footpath construction western side has commenced

We will soon have two crews working full time to help maintain the early August delivery.

Rain has meant some changes to the project time frame with completion of Stage 2 aimed at early August. Following this, we’ll pause construction in the lead up to the UCI Road World Cycling Championships. The race period is from 18 to 26 September 2022. We’ll begin Stage 3, the Walker Street Western Terrace, in the first half of 2023.

We would like to thank the Helensburgh community for their interest in this comprehensive upgrade and their patience during the extensive work.

With the busier holiday months behind us, we’re starting works on stage 2 of the Helensburgh Streetscape Masterplan project.

From Monday 21 February 2022, we’ll be onsite at Walker Street to prune the lower branches of the Brush Box trees that line the western side of the road. Once the trees are trimmed, we’ll begin work to install the new footpath and other traffic calming infrastructure to create a safer and more pleasant environment for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Stage 1 of the Helensburgh Streetscape Masterplan was completed last year. Stage 2 will build upon these completed works to improve safety and accessibility for our community.

The Stage 2 upgrades include:

• a new pedestrian path along the western side of the street
• an upgrade of the pedestrian crossing at Coles and footpath upgrades on the eastern side from the crossing at Coles to the Short Street intersection
• pedestrian and road safety improvements at Short Street
• flattening of the steep parking lanes in Walker Street
• construction of a new roundabout and raised pedestrian crossing on the Lilyvale and Walker Street intersection.

Transport for NSW manages speed zone changes on our road network and have expressed support of the Helensburgh Town Centre becoming a 30km/h speed zone. These changes to speed zones will be looked at once stage 2 works are complete. We’ll continue to work closely with Transport for NSW to communicate any future changes to residents as they occur.

There will be intermittent disruptions to parking and detours during the works, but access to Short Street and Walker Lane will be retained at all times. Traffic control will be onsite to support drivers and pedestrians sharing the space and we ask that everyone drives to the conditions.

One of the parts of the project that we know interests our community is our work to preserve the important Brush Box trees that line Walker and Parkes streets. Council has a plan to preserve and protect all of the trees now and into the future and to achieve this, we’ve carried out detailed aboricultural investigations.