High hopes for the cafe set

By Bridget Brady
WITH alfresco dining and speciality shopping, you might confuse High Street in Cranbourne with a trendy Melbourne street.
But if Casey Council’s hopes for a Cranbourne Bypass-driven redevelopment bear fruit, the new-look High Street would replicate a High Street, Armadale, and feature cafes, restaurants and shopping.
The Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has supported the council’s vision for High Street, and president Neil Bainbridge said he wanted to see it become a destination, not just a place to pass through.
The beautification of High Street had long been a priority for the chamber, Mr Bainbridge said, with improved pedestrian access a vital component.
“We strongly believe it will increase retail opportunities for our shop holders and create a more vibrant and thriving Cranbourne town centre,” Mr Bainbridge said.
Casey Council said the High Street make-over would not be possible unless the Cranbourne Bypass was given the green light to take trucks off the main street.
The bypass would involve the duplication of Narre Warren- Cranbourne Road, and a ‘missing link’ that connected the South Gippsland Highway to Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.
Speaking at a CCC meeting last week, the council’s city strategy team leader Asok Rao said efforts to get the bypass project off the ground had not been successful. VicRoads has said there were no current plans to build a bypass.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t seemed to be getting anywhere,” Mr Rao said.
Mayfield Ward councillor Amanda Stapledon said the vision for High Street would embrace existing and long-term family business as well as attracting new business to the area and creating an atmosphere that was unique to Cranbourne.
“The council has a vision for Cranbourne High Street that will transform it from a heavy, noisy traffic area into a vibrant shopping strip with the alfresco ambience that will attract people to the shopping precinct and invite travellers to stop, shop and take a break in Cranbourne,” Cr Stapledon said.
“The bypass is a pivotal part of the vision progressing.”
A social, economic and environmental study into the bypass has been completed. Naturally, the study revealed the bypass would improve pedestrian safety and ambience on High Street. But it also suggested it could move the traffic problems to other parts of Cranbourne, including growing residential areas.
The next steps for Casey Council are to remove High Street’s ‘highway’ status and advocate for the upgrade of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.