This month will see the official opening of Tiwu Kumangka to the public. The opening of Tiwu represents a multi-year if not multi-decade push from the community to have a purpose-built library and community facility. The first fee free library came to Blackwood in 1973 and was located at the corner of Shepherds Hill Road and Brighton Parade. This building was sold in 1981 to purchase a former furniture showroom at the site of the current Blackwood Library.
The completion of Tiwu Kumangka will also see the beginning of other projects in the Waite/Young Street precinct. Council supported an $850k contribution towards upgrading Young Street, as part of Phase 4 of the Federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. The design focusses on pedestrian access, improvements to the public realm (including new landscaping) and the creation of additional carparking. A number of private landowners (such as Drakes) have also agreed to improve their visual presence along the street which is greatly appreciated.
At our September meeting, the chamber unanimously passed my motion to explore options for undergrounding powerlines between Main Road and Waite Street outside of Tiwu. Provisions for their undergrounding are being taken into account with the Young Street upgrade as well. These powerlines not only visually pollute the street but will significantly hamper the new landscaping options and retention of the existing Grey Box trees along this section of road.
Going forward, a new private development creating a pedestrian connection linking Tiwu, Young Street and the Drake’s shopping precinct is also expected to start early next year. This will see a plaza type area developed in the old ‘drain’ that runs along the western wall of Drakes.
Finally, an upgrade of Waite Street Reserve will be undertaken – although as my co-councillor noted in last month's edition of Mitcham Community News, this is further away than desirable in my opinion. With an investment of $3.2 million for both the Reserve and Young Street, I am looking forward to seeing a significantly improved playground (that doesn’t include concrete blocks), along with additional tree plantings, footpaths (where people actually walk) and other substantial improvements to the public realm.
While the upgrades and work in this part of Blackwood will hopefully encourage more private investment, the Main Road of Blackwood needs substantial help. I will continue advocating for a Blackwood public greening strategy to be included in next year’s budget. Significant greening improvements are needed, to replace the tired garden beds and loss of trees, along with better pedestrian access. While it might not be possible or desirable to be the next Stirling or Hahndorf, a lot can be done to improve the public realm and this is one of my long-term goals for my time on Council.
To check out the current and future projects for Blackwood, check out the document below:
Thank you to the Blackwood Action Group for the historical information.