Monaro Street Refresh

Project typeCapital works
Project value$17,250,000
Contractor nameDale and Hitchcock Civil Pty Ltd | WSP Australia Pty Ltd (Detailed designs)

Project update - 11 June 2026

At its 10 June meeting, Council approved up to an additional $3,250,000 to address the Monaro Street Refresh stormwater issue.

7 scenarios were presented to Council, each with estimated additional project costs and project timeline extensions. Council was not asked to choose a scenario, only to approve additional funding in the budget.

The preferred option allows contractors to reline the existing 1800mm diameter pipe and replace the culvert through the Lowe Street intersection. This option involves the least delay to the project and the community, at an estimated 8 weeks. This option will also allow Dale and Hitchcock to continue works on the site between Lowe Street and Crawford Street.

Council will seek NSW Government funding for the additional funding in lieu of increased loan funding. Council will receive a further report on the process to remove heavy vehicles from Monaro Street.

On the north side of Monaro Street, we have discovered that a major stormwater main is not located where we had anticipated. Instead of being under the parking lane, it’s located under the eastbound travel lane and unfortunately it is much closer to the surface than we had hoped. This shallow depth and the structure of the main has created challenges that require us to carefully plan the best way to address the issue to ensure that heavy vehicle traffic will not damage the stormwater main in the future.

We’re working with Transport for NSW, who are the owners of the road, to finalise a solution and will update the community as soon as we know more.

Works have started to install kerb and gutters on the south side of Monaro Street. Median walls are also being installed on the east block of the site between Crawford Street and the Queens Bridge.

What has happened so far?

May

Foundation improvements and underground service adjustments are continuing
Stormwater works are continuing
Contractors are preparing for kerb and gutter works

April

Contractors continued foundation improvements and underground service adjustments
Contractors started installing new stormwater systems

March

Council's Parks and Gardens team retrieved plants from Monaro Street and transferred them to an irrigated site for care until conditions are ideal for replanting in other locations
A large tree from the median strip near Lowe Street was pruned, carefully excavated with hydrovac equipment, transported, and replanted at Sister City Park
Contractors removed the top layer of the road surface, medians, and debris to prepare for reconstruction works
Contractors began foundation testing and improvements and underground service adjustments
Contractors started to remove pavers from the footpath closest to the road in preparation for kerb and gutter works

Progress photos

Pedestrian Ramp access to St Gregorys Primary School

Business support

What programs are running right now?

Monaro Street Facade Improvement Program

The aim of the Monaro Street Façade Improvement Program is to enhance the appearance of buildings along Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Designed to complement the current Monaro Street Refresh Project, the program focuses on improving the street’s overall amenity and visitor experience.

The objective of the program is to:

Improve the visual presentation of buildings along the street
Assist building owners to attract and retain tenants
Complement the Monaro Street Refresh Project including the Shopfront Improvement Program, which specifically targets business shopfronts.

Eligible building owners can apply for grant funding of up to $10,000 (GST exclusive), with the funding covering no more than 50% of the total project cost.

Find all the details and the application form on the Grants and Donations page.

Lunch Rewards program

We have partnered with the 104.7 Hit Squad for a Lunch Reward voucher to the value of $15. These can be redeemed at any of the 9 hospitality business along Monaro St which are listed on the voucher. The promotion will run on Thursday and Fridays from 16 April to 14 May. The Hit Squad will announce Thursdays and Fridays every week for the 4 weeks, when and where they’ll be for the voucher giveaway.

Shop and Win round 2 - supporting local businesses

Shop & Win round 2 is underway across the CBD from 20 April for 6 weeks until 1 June. Each week a $500 prize winner will be announced with the winner of the $5000 major prize being announced on 3 June. Prize money must be spent back at the participating businesses across the CBD. Participating businesses have the red Treasure Trail window sticker on their shopfront windows. Spend $20 or more at participating businesses and receive a Shop and Win ticket. Scan the QR code on the ticket and enter the unique code on your ticket on the Treasure Trail website to go in the draw. You’ll find a full list of participating businesses by scanning the QR code on the ticket.

Shopfront Improvement Program design and quote finalisation

POP Creative Collective are finalising the design work and coordination of trades to deliver these shopfront improvements. Works will be undertaken in coordination with Dale & Hitchcock as to minimise disruption to businesses, customers, and the progress of the project itself.

What has happened so far

Visual merchandising workshop – October 2025

October was Small Business Month across NSW, celebrating the vital role that small businesses, sole traders and entrepreneurs play in our economy. We hosted a presentation by POP Creative Collective, with 25 businesses from across the LGA in attendance.

The engaging workshop covered examples of best practice in retail design and visual merchandising, with practical and achievable tips and advice to assist any business with a shopfront, including retailers and hospitality venues.

Queanbeyan Shop & Win Promotion: Winnings Spent Across 25 Businesses!

From Monday 25 August to Friday 3 October 2025, Council held a Shop & Win Promotion to encourage spending in local businesses. Throughout the six-week promotion, 25 businesses shared in the $8,000 prize pool, with over 10,000 entries submitted by shoppers supporting local businesses.

Shopfront Improvement Program audit

POP Creative Collective audited all the eligible shopfronts along Monaro Street, considering signage, façade, lighting, footpath display etc. Successful applicants to participate in the program have had their initial one-on-one session with POP Creative Collective and are working through their options to improve their shopfronts.

Collett Street car park incentive

To encourage workers to park at the Collett Street car park behind the bus interchange a free coffee incentive was rolled out Monday 23 March 2026.

The first 50 vehicles to park at the Collett Street car park received a free coffee/beverage voucher to the value of $6 which could be used at any of the 14 cafes/takeaways across the CBD. The incentive ran from Monday to Friday from 23 March – 6 April 2026.

FAQs

What will the upgrades look like?

The road footprint will be the same, but we will have an upgraded street the whole length on Monaro Street from Lowe Street to Collett Street.

The existing alignment and traffic lights will remain. We will have a quieter road surface, modified medians, improved pedestrian crossings and footpaths. We will retain the existing parking.

We are updating the stormwater drainage and in-ground services; and reducing the gutter height and improving accessibility.

While this is a disruptive project in the short-term, in the long-term we will have a much better main street for everyone to enjoy.

What about the businesses on Monaro Street?

Businesses are open! Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project, so please use the car parks around the CBD and make sure you keep supporting your local businesses.

Pedestrians can still use the Queens Bridge, and cross Monaro Street at the intersections. With less traffic, crossing is easier for pedestrians.

Where can I park in the CBD?

There are seven Council-owned car parks in the CBD – Lowe Street, Rutledge Street, Morisset Street, Collett Street (at the bus interchange), Crawford Street, Antill Street (aquatic centre), and Erin Street. There are also privately owned car parks.

Parking is not available on Monaro Street during construction.

Download a map of the car parks in the Queanbeyan CBD(PDF, 2MB)

Project background

Upgrading the main street of Queanbeyan has been a priority of Council and the community for many years and has been a key feature of several community engagement activities. The project is included in:

Council's CBD Transformation Strategy (adopted in May 2017)
2019 revision of the Queanbeyan CBD Spatial Masterplan
Queanbeyan Place Plan in 2020

The concept designs were on public exhibition and a report on submissions received was presented to Council in September 2021. A copy of this report can be found in the ‘Consultation Report’ tab on this page.

The project is funded through $10m of grant funding under the NSW Government's Drought Stimulus Package. Council accepted this offer of grant funding in 2020 and agreed to arrange loan funding of $5.25m as co-contribution for the project.

Transport for NSW have allocated an additional $2 million in funding for the project, to be spent in 2026.

WSP Australia Pty Limited prepared the detailed design.

Tender submissions were considered by Council in May 2025 for construction and the tender was awarded to Dale and Hitchcock Civil Pty Ltd.

Timeline

Concept designs prepared and placed on public exhibition August 2021.
Submissions were considered by Council in September 2021.
A variation for extension of time was approved in May 2024.
WSP Australia Pty Limited were engaged in August 2024 to prepare detailed designs.
Detailed design and cost estimates were presented to Council in January 2025.
Construction tenders closed on 5 May 2025.
Tender awarded to Dale and Hitchcock Civil Pty Ltd at the Council meeting on 28 May 2025.
Construction is now expected to take 6 months, not 12 months, as support has been provided by TfNSW to close the whole road in stages to accelerate the program.