Project delays hit businesses

The Katanning business community is optimistic about the long-term benefits the Clive Street revitalisation will bring, but they are taking a hit to their weekly incomes after a section of the street was closed.

Drainage pipes have been placed along Clive Street from Richardson and Daping streets, with work to prepare the tree pits the next stage of the project.

Swags and Wags manager Ashley Brokenshire said he supported the SuperTowns-funded project but it was hard to stay positive.

“Yes, we expected disruption. Yes, we expected delays and I accept that not everything was ever going to run smoothly,” he said.

“However, the most frustrating point for many stores I have spoken to is the amount of days with no work being done … every day lost adds extra delays to getting the street running again and adds thousands to the cost to the local economy.

“The strain is starting to show for all people involved and with the expected completion time now slipping well behind, it’s time to get extra resources allocated to get the street finished.”

Leanne Wake of Wakez Rock ‘n’ Diner estimates she is losing between $2000 and $3000 a week.

“We are losing thousands each week and it is not just me, my income comes from a carload of mum and kids coming in to get an ice cream and milkshake but they can’t — now we’re hurting bad,” she said.

Daily Grind manager Sue Virtue said on some days their income was down 75 per cent but encouraged the community to remain positive.

“It’s a really hard thing because we want it finished and we want to see a nice street,” she said.

“The impact it’s having over such a long time, that is huge; you can go to another town and it’s all they’re talking about.

“We know there are problems but if people can be positive, there is still access to the shops.”

Last week, pathways were placed to allow residents to walk across the road in order to access businesses, and signs have also been placed around Katanning to encourage people to shop in the town centre.

According to the Shire of Katanning, the street is set to be re-opened in early June, two months behind schedule.

Shire chief executive Dean Taylor said the issue behind the delays was that plans of the layout of services, from drainage pipes to cables, did not correlate with what Shire workers found under the road.

“It’s very frustrating for the business community and the Shire,” he said.

“We are trying to upgrade the main street for the businesses to attract more business and people into town so they can buy and shop in Katanning,” he said.

“We did not want to cause this level of disruption, but we hope it will be worth it.”