Reconstruction work for Foster’s Victory Avenue

SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council is finalising its design for the reconstruction of Victory Avenue between McDonald Street (the roundabout) and Winchester Street.

Explaining the need for the work, Paul Challis, Council’s Acting Manager Engineering and Projects, said that it had been identified in Council’s Asset Management Plan that there were problems with the stormwater, and the kerbing and channels had passed their operational life.

“We will be installing an underground stormwater pipe network,” he said. “There are only a few pits currently and they are inadequate, and the kerbing and channels will be replaced.”

There are also plans to stabilise the road pavement in failing sections and replace the outmoded spray seal surface with asphalt for longer life.

The existing footpath on the western side of the road will be replaced and a new footpath installed on the eastern side of Victory Avenue. This will require the removal of trees, so residents will be issued with a planting plan.

A resident information ‘drop-in’ session has been arranged for between 5.00pm and 6.30pm next Wednesday, August 6, at the Foster Community House. A mail-out to immediately affected residents and to Foster Community Association (nearly 50 letters in total) has also been completed.

The drop-in session provides an opportunity for interested residents to come along anytime between 5.00pm and 6.30pm to view large scale plans of the proposed works and ask questions, and for council officers to provide information about the project.

“Council is continuing its strong commitment to engaging with the community and this is another example of when we can speak with our residents about important infrastructure projects that affect them,” said Mr Challis.

“The reconstruction of Victory Avenue is an important project for residents in Foster. By conducting a ‘drop-in’ session it allows people to raise questions and any concerns about the detailed designs we have drafted. It also allows engineers the opportunity to consider the feedback presented and clarify any uncertainty about the project.”

The Victory Avenue project is not expected to commence until summer when the weather is consistently good – probably about January. In the meantime, another part of Foster will be improved. In coming months a new footpath will be constructed in Foster’s health precinct – along Station Road from Jones Street (outside South Gippsland Hospital) to O’Connell Street, in which Promontory House is located. The work will require the removal of several flowering gums, but the footpath is likely to be very much appreciated by pedestrians. Construction is expected in the next few months.

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