Monaro Street Refresh

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

Council has appointed Dale and Hitchcock Civil Pty Ltd as the construction contractor. We are working through the finals approvals process with Transport for NSW before work can commence.

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 is in the ‘Documents’ section below.

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 $5.7m as co-contribution for the project.

Council resolved on 26 April 2023 to seek a variation from the Department of Regional NSW for an extension of time on the funding agreement. This will allow us to proceed to tenders for the detailed design.

A variation was approved in May 2024, extending the completion date for the initial grant to December 2025. As construction has not commenced, a further extension of time has been requested.

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

WSP Australia Pty Limited have prepared the detailed design, including a cost estimate for the proposed work which formed the basis for a tender for construction of the work.

In January 2025, Council resolved to proceed to invite tenders for construction along Monaro Street. Tender submissions were considered by Council in May 2025 and the tender was awarded to Dale and Hitchcock Civil Pty Ltd.

The road surface will be replaced and underground infrastructure upgraded. The proposed design includes replacing the road surface, retaining the existing travel lanes, modifying medians, retaining parking, improving footpaths and reducing gutter heights.

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, 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

POP Creative Collective audited all the eligible shopfronts along Monaro Street, considering signage, façade, lighting, footpath display etc. Eligible businesses have been consulted and invited to submit an application for support with improving their shopfronts.

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 in-principle support has been provided by TfNSW to close the whole road in stages to accelerate the program.