Racecourse link with retail core

– Bridget Brady
BUILDING a walking path from the Cranbourne Racecourse to the town’s retail core in an effort to link the suburb’s major attractions is on course.
Casey councillor Colin Butler said he would also like to see arches put up along the walk way and statues of jockeys built in an effort to jazz up the entrance to the racecourse, starting from the bottom of Grant Street.
Cr Butler said the walking path would also include a link to another of Cranbourne’s major attractions, the Royal Botanic Gardens.
He said it was logical to try and physically link the racecourse to the retail heartland because many visitors to Cranbourne never ventured into the main streets despite the racing industry having brought millions of dollars into the local economy.
“We want to improve the image and appearance of Cranbourne and give people who are visiting for the first time a positive experience,” Cr Butler said. “We want to establish Cranbourne as a great place to live.”
The plans are part of the council’s Linking Cranbourne’s Icons- the Grant Street Project, which began in December last year. The aim of the project is to revitalise Cranbourne and improve the town’s image.
Stage 1 of the project was completed in August and works included a resurfaced road on Grant Street and design of features such as artwork, sculptures and flags for the streets.
City of Casey manager of strategic development Liam Hodgetts said Stage 2 of the project would start in January if funding was secured.
Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce president Noel Ridler said the project was good news for traders.
“It’s all a step in the right direction,” he said.
“Cranbourne requires a face lift and it needs everyone’s support.”
Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon said, he would like to attract new and exciting shopping to the town, which would improve employment opportunities for residents.
“Part of the goal is to make it (Cranbourne) a vibrant and exciting place to shop, as equal to Fountain Gate if we can,” Cr Beardon said.