Project Updates July 2026
Burnie Arts – Plaza Redevelopment
Transforming the area into an improved public space for entertainment, community activities and relaxation, with upgraded plaza and landscaped areas.
The project forms part of the Burnie City Centre Urban Plan, which will create stronger connections between the Burnie Arts precinct, waterfront and shopping areas. Supporting the vision for a more vibrant, connected and accessible city centre.
Funded through $1.35 million from Burnie City Council’s 2025–26 Capital Works Program, the project is now complete.
South Burnie Bowls Club Redevelopment
$2.13 million project funded by the Tasmanian Government to upgrade the clubrooms at 2 Hales Street, South Burnie. Delivered through Council, the project supports Council’s Strategic Plan Goal 4 – Making culturally rich and vibrant communities.
Following the tender process and appointment of the preferred contractor, construction is progressing, with demolition complete, structural steel works practically finished, and ground works underway.
Construction will continue through to completion, with the redevelopment expected to be finished by the end of August 2026.
Shorewell Park Playground Redevelopment
This project will deliver a safe, inclusive and engaging new playground for children and families. Delivered through a design and construct contract, the project aligns with Council’s Playground Strategy and will include modern play equipment, improved landscaping and supporting amenities.
The project is funded through a $1.4 million Tasmanian Government contribution, including $400,000 provided via LGAT. The contract has been awarded, community consultation has been completed, and new playground equipment has been ordered, with delivery impacted by shipping delays. Car park works were scheduled to commence but were delayed due to heavy rainfall in June, while building permit processes for the amenities continue to progress.
Site works and approvals will continue ahead of the planned completion date of 30 September 2026.
Foreshore Redevelopment Project – ($3.8million)
Council is upgrading the Foreshore Precinct as part of the $17.3 million Burnie City Centre Urban Plan. The project will create more community space through removal of the rail corridor and deliver upgraded playgrounds, outdoor recreation facilities, improved cycling and running connections, bike parking and end-of-trip facilities to support active transport.
Funded by the Tasmanian Government as part of its contribution towards the Burnie City Centre Urban Plan.
Playground equipment has been ordered, with designs for the fenced playground and extended outdoor gym being finalised. A design consultant has been engaged to prepare detailed designs and tender documents, with DA approval received for rail corridor removal and a Ministerial application submitted under the Strategic Infrastructure Corridors Act in July 2026.
Playground installation is scheduled for early 2027. Stakeholder engagement will continue, with contractor expressions of interest to be sought for rail infrastructure removal subject to approval.
Planned completion: 31 December 2027
The CBD Streetscape Revitalisation Project ($2.64 million)
A coordinated package of initiatives to improve the look, feel and function of Burnie’s city centre. The project includes a review of road hierarchy, replacement of outdated street bins, an on-street dining trial and delivery of a pilot streetscape to test how CBD streets can better balance movement, place and activity while improving amenity for businesses, residents and visitors.
The project forms part of the Burnie City Centre Urban Plan and is funded by the Tasmanian Government.
The Burnie CBD Public Realm & Streetscape Style Guide was adopted by Council in May 2026. Progress has included planning for tree removal at the northern end of Wilson Street, approval from Building Tasmania for public art on four CBD signal boxes, and engagement with a local artist to licence artwork. A traffic engineer has also been appointed to undertake traffic impact assessments to inform future streetscape and road hierarchy decisions. The project completion date has been extended to 30 June 2029 to align with the revised Burnie Courts Complex timeline.
Next steps include inviting expressions of interest for new street furniture and fixtures, with replacement of outdated street bins identified as a priority. Tenders will also be sought for the design and construction of a streetscape pilot project across Wilson Street, Ladbrooke Street and Mount Street. Traffic modelling outcomes will support discussions with the State Government about a potential relocation of the Burnie bus interchange.
Further design work will commence in 2026/27 for upgrades to Marine Plaza, a new mid-block crossing on Mount Street between City Plaza and Burnie Plaza, and improved streetscape treatments across the central city block of Wilson, Cattley, Mount and Wilmot Streets. The project is planned for completion by 30 June 2029.
Pollution Capture Program
The contract for the Stormwater Pollution Capture Program was awarded to Buildrite. This project is for the installation of 2 stormwater intervention devices which filter contaminants from Shorewell Creek. One is situated at three Mile Line Road opposite council’s depot. The other is on Woniora Road adjacent to the Thorne St Intersection. The precast components have been ordered by council with the contract focused on the installation of the equipment supplied by council. The systems improve water quality for the Giant Freshwater Crayfish and other creek life. Operational impacts for the units are the introduction of costs associated with regular (6 monthly) cleaning of the chambers and depreciation of the assets. Combined additional operational impact is in the order of $9000 per annum.
Brooklyn Road
Works are progressing on the kerb, footpath, guard rail and pavement to improve safety for all road users. Works commenced on 15 June 2026 and are expected to take approximately 8-10 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Other Projects
CBD – from Monday 22 June, streetlight renewals throughout main block of CBD commenced to improve lighting and safety. As of 26 June, 35 old light fittings have been replaced with new energyefficient LED lights to keep the city shining.
Shorewell Creek – great progress is being made at Shorewell Creek, with Council's Maintenance team completing the new bridge structure in May 2026. The Civil crew has also been busy extending the stormwater system and preparing the area for the next stage of works. New concrete footpaths are up next as the project continues to improve local infrastructure and connectivity in the area.
Mount Street – installation of a new bus shelter, open and ready for everyday use.
Civil Construction and Stormwater
• Emmett Street – drainage works and reseal upgrades. • Old Surrey Road – footpath and driveway apron to improve access for the community.
• Massey Green Drive – footpath section replacements for improved safety and accessibility.
• Lottah Road – drainage improvement works to help improve water flow and support safer, more reliable conditions.
• Brooklyn Road – works to provide safety improvements for both motorists and pedestrians. Project includes construction of new kerb and channel, widened footpath, new pedestrian crossing, and application of a high-friction road surface treatment.
Buildings
• CBD – painting of light poles along Mount Street.
• Basalt Columns Pond – renewal of paint.
• Fidler Street – installation of new accessible parking bay outside primary school.
• Hilder Parade – refreshed paint on the historic gates at the entrance to the Waterfront, West Beach.
• Hampshire – completion of road patching works to help improve the condition of the road.
• Camdale – cleaning of the outfall to help keep the stormwater moving.
Parks, Reserves, Sporting Grounds and Cemeteries
• Multi Storey Car Park – plantation of rhododendrons in garden bed.
• Queen Street – fresh mulching in garden beds.
• CBD – street cleaning of light poles, street islands, playgrounds and footpaths.
• Basalt Columns Pond – full empty, clean and refill.
• Barker Street – repairs to the walking track for improved accessibility and safety.
• Burnie Park – replacement swing seats and chains installed. Fresh mulching of garden beds and plantation of two new Bottle Trees. Fresh painting of car park bollards. Re-coated cenotaph pedestals.
• Lawn Cemetery – footpath renewals and replacement work.
• Wivenhoe Recreation Grounds – fresh paint to handrails and brickwork to extend the life of the infrastructure. Fresh mulching of garden beds. DDA toilet tidy-up and fresh coat of paint.
• Upper Burnie Sports Centre – car park has been refreshed with crisp new line markings. Paint works undertaken internally to keep the facility looking its best.
• Marine Plaza – tree plantations and new edging. • West Park – newly installed netting behind goal posts.
• Romaine Reserve – continuing to install new sections of concrete footpaths. Council staff, contractors, staff and students from Hellyer College undertook plantation of 500 native plants as part of the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program. Tree maintenance on eastern side of Romaine Dam.
• Tennis Centre – treatment and painting of steelwork that comprises the storage area to improve its appearance.
• Netball Centre – refreshed DDA parking bays.
• Blinking Billy Lighthouse – trimming trees and cleaning the city markers to help the area look its best.