Kingborough Council has approved the release of a draft master plan for Margate’s town centre for public consultation.
The plan seeks to calm the traffic-dominated main street to create a safer and more comfortable place for locals to walk and ride.
A key element of the plan is a 3-metre-wide shared path on the eastern side of Channel Highway, which would join to the existing shared path to Snug, then on to Huntingfield.
This is a big step up from the consultation a few years ago on extending the current shared path to Huntingfield, which ruled out any infrastructure in the main street.
The masterplan follows online and in-person workshops with residents and business owners who regularly use the main street.
A desire for separated bike riding facilities that join to the shared path in Snug and Dru Point came up in the online survey and workshops.
Other elements that would improve safety include a priority raised shared path and footpath across side streets and driveways, new crossing points along Main Street and a slower speed limit.
The plan also incorporates more street plantings, either as a buffer between the shared path and road, or within the car parking areas and bicycle parking hoops.
The masterplan sets out different street widths and elements that will be included or excluded. The shared path is the second priority after the two travel lanes and is retained in all variations of the street design.
The council has funded the development of the masterplan but it would need state and federal government money to implement the actions.
The draft masterplan can be downloaded from https://www.kingborough.tas.gov.au/kingborough/engagement-2/community-engagement-projects/margate-masterplan/ and feedback can be emailled to kc@kingborough.tas.gov.au
A final plan will be developed and go to council for approval after August.