BUSINESSES in the thick of Beaudesert’s town centre revitalisation are thanking locals for their loyalty and encouraging them to hang in there amid major ongoing works, due for completion in 2025.
‘Stick with us’ – Beaudesert businesses
ANYONE who has driven or walked through Beaudesert CBD lately has experienced arguably the most significant ongoing roadworks the town centre has ever seen.
The place is a hive of deep excavation to fix long-standing drainage issues, while sections of on-street parking have disappeared in a confusing web of realigned road lanes.
The CWA Hall has shifted and is being revamped, Davidson Park is getting a major facelift and people are learning to use the Selwyn Street roundabout as the new Eaglesfield Street one takes shape.
There is anticipation from businesses eager to see an end to the town’s flooding woes and challenges for businesses feeling the impact of the roadworks.
Loyalty valued
Business is going well for Jo Sellens from Backroads, and she is grateful her customers are happy to park and walk to her shop.
“It’s alright because it’s not in front of my shop at the moment but once it gets down here, I don’t know,” she said.
Chris Grimmett, who has had her dress shop Kalico Country for 36 years, is in a similar boat.
“Maybe later on it will be a problem but there’s a degree of loyalty from customers. I’m just very happy they’re working on the drain because that’s been our issue here,” she said.
Getting out was for the best
James Parer is relieved he moved his restaurant, Ned’s, out of Beaudesert CBD when he did.
He shifted to Beaudesert Golf Club just as parking, congestion and a loss of loading zones became an issue for him.
“At the beginning we were managing it, it was going ok, but blocking (parking) off from the other side of the road was when we really felt the impact,” he said.
Toughest times yet
Sue Weymouth from Beaudesert News says this was their quietest June in nearly 28 years.
“It’s having a negative effect on takings, and we’ve cut trading hours back. It would be nice to be kept in the loop – customers ask what’s going on and we don’t know,” she said.
“We definitely need customers to hang in there with us. We’re hanging in there for them.”
Silver linings
Michelle Hawkes, who has a florist shop in the thick of roadworks on Brisbane Street, has her business for sale. But it is not because she is doing it tough. Quite the opposite, she is joining her husband in retirement.
In the meantime, she’s lucky orders mostly happen over the phone and online.
“If anything, there’s a silver lining because motorists stuck in traffic have nothing else to do but to look out the window and see that I’m here,” she said.
Michelle said she had observed major traffic disruptions from her vantage point, however.
“The road is confusing, and one lady actually parked outside the post office which is now the road,” she said.
‘Patience appreciated’ – Council
The Beaudesert Bulletin sought an update from Council regarding the Beaudesert Town Centre Revitalisation Project 2020-2025.
“A comprehensive project update will be issued in conjunction with our program funding partners in the near future,” a spokesperson said.
“Council appreciates the patience of the community as Parklands works are planned to finish in October 2024, and the Brisbane Street project heads towards completion in 2025.”
Council confirmed drainage works on Brisbane Street at the intersection of William Street near the traffic lights are anticipated to start in September/ October 2024, pending weather and site conditions.
