Features of the draft concept designs for Stages 5 and 6 include:

• Intersection improvements at Welsford Street and High Street, with a left turn option from the centre through lane to create two left turning lanes for northbound traffic turning towards Mooroopna;
• Modified intersection at Welsford Street and Vaughan Street to allow for only left-turn in and left-turn out movements with a signalised pedestrian crossing and other additional pedestrian crossing safety features;
• Modifications to the kerbing at the Welsford Street and Tom Collins Drive intersection to improve turning movements in and out of Victoria Park Lake;
• Intersection improvements at Sobraon Street and Wyndham Street, with two right turning lanes for southbound traffic turning onto Wyndham Street;
• A new pedestrian and cycling shared path on the western side of Welsford Street to facilitate safe cycling movements and link with the existing Yahna Gurtji shared path network around Victoria Park Lake, Monash Park, and the Goulburn River;
• The retention of car parking spaces where space permits, and
• The retention of most trees where possible.

To achieve the objectives of the upgrade to improve traffic flow and road capacity along Welsford Street, the draft concept designs will have an impact on car parking spaces in specific areas adjacent to intersections. It’s estimated that there will be a loss of 24 on-street car parking spaces and one loading zone as a result of the upgrade.

To offset any car parking losses because of the upgrade and to improve car parking supply in the area, Council officers are currently scoping a project to investigate options for additional off-street car parking facilities in accordance with the recommendations of the Shepparton CBD Car Parking Strategy April 2020. Any options identified to increase off-street parking will be explored in conjunction with the future construction of Stages 5 and 6.

The draft concept designs propose modifying this intersection to only allow for left turn-in and left turn-out movements. This arrangement will have the advantage of facilitating north-south movements along Welsford Street while allowing for the retention of some car parking spaces in the area. Pedestrian operated signals will replace the existing zebra crossing across Welsford Street to improve pedestrian safety.

The investigation of signalising the Vaughan Street intersection to facilitate straight and right turn movements across the intersection was considered. However in order to achieve traffic capacity gains for north-south traffic movements while improving pedestrian safety and amenity, this would have required the removal of eight on-street car parking spaces on the northbound traffic lane, including the loss of the two disabled parking bays in front of the Princess Park Clinic.

The draft concept designs have included provision for two left turning lanes at this intersection to improve traffic flow for northbound vehicles during peak times, however this will result in the removal of car parking spaces in the area.

The draft concept designs have included provision for two right turning lanes for traffic turning off Sobraon Street onto Wyndham Street southbound to improve traffic flow and visibility around the Tom Collins Drive intersection during peak times.

The draft concept designs have included provision for a shared walking and cycling path on the western verge to replace the existing footpath and on-road cycling lanes. This outcome will physically separate cyclists from other road users; providing a safer cycling experience for users of all ages and abilities, while connecting with the broader Yahna Gurtji Shared Path Network at Monash Park and Victoria Park Lake.

The draft concept designs for Stages 5 and 6 will seek to retain most trees along Welsford Street. An arboricultural impact assessment has been conducted on all trees within the upgrade area and has been used to understand the construction impacts on each tree and provide recommendations for the retention of the trees.

Under the current draft concept designs four trees are expected to require removal. The exact number of trees impacted will be further understood as final concept designs and future detailed designs are prepared that will seek to retain these trees without detrimentally impacting the project objectives.

As the project is still in the draft concept stage, it is premature to understand what impacts construction will have on adjacent businesses. Council’s projects team will be in contact with adjacent landowners and occupiers about construction impacts and access arrangements when construction will begin.

There is currently no timeframe for when construction for Stages 5 and 6 will begin. The project is currently at the draft concept stage. Council officers will need to undertake functional and detailed designs and cost estimates for Stages 5 and 6 that can be included in the 10-year capital works program for consideration. The cost of Stages 5 and 6 will need to be accounted for in a future budgetary process for eventual tender and construction.