Avalon Streets for People

Northern Beaches Council has transformed Old Barrenjoey Road into a one-way shared zone with relaxed seating area in Avalon, NSW, as part of the NSW Government‘s Streets as Shared Spaces program.

Council’s CEO Ray Bronwlee said after years of community consultation and consideration by Council, the project has brought improvements to the space: “Our priority is creating a place for people. Streets as Shared Spaces will create a safer and more people-centred experience for locals and visitors moving through Avalon Beach Village.”

Street Furniture Australia assisted Northern Beaches Council in visualising furniture options with renderings to compare different products, finishes and materials. Michelle Carter,  Strategic Transport Coordinator, said, “We found this service fantastic. Having a visual to show our community helped them come on board this project really quickly.”

In response to community feedback, Council selected the Classic Plaza range with Wood Without Worry aluminum Spotted Gum battens, to bring the warm look of timber with minimal maintenance.

Linea Bollards lining the now one-way street help to bring a perceived sense of safety for pedestrians, and continue the colour palette with an aluminium Spotted Gum insert and Textura Dark Bronze frame.

Frame Planters with solid-panel bodies powdercoated in Mustard add cheerful colour, while greening the street. “We wanted something relatively conservative that still created brightness in the area, and we found the Mustard colour really ‘pops’,” said Michelle.

ChillOUT Trees with perforated panels bring dappled shade, device-charging and the ambient glow of an LED-ring light that can be set to any RGB colour.

The widened footpath and installation of street furniture and vegetation will encourage the community to use and experience this space in new ways.