Darra Village Precinct Project
Brisbane City Council completed a $940,000 streetscape improvement project in late 2020 to revitalise the neighbourhood shopping precinct in Darra, along Railway Parade and Darra Station Road (from Rowe Terrace up to Lee Lane). There were also improvement works completed along Darra Station Road, directly north of Lee Road.
Council worked with the local community to revitalise the Darra neighbourhood shopping precinct, delivering an attractive, connected and safe centre for locals and visitors.
This is part of Council's commitment to create a city of neighbourhoods and improve the amenity of local retail villages with better paths, trees and seating, and new creative outcomes.
Improvements delivered
Improvements include:
- reduced traffic speed to 40 km/h within the Village Precinct Project boundary and associated traffic calming
- additional pedestrian crossing points to improve pedestrian safety into and within the shopping precinct
- upgrades to existing pedestrian crossing points and kerb ramps to improve pedestrian accessibility and safety into and within the shopping precinct
- changes to the existing car parking layout to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety within the precinct
- footpath upgrades to improve accessibility, maintenance and visual amenity
- build-outs in the road carriageway to improve pedestrian safety and support traffic calming and enhance visual amenity
- groundcover plantings to new and existing garden beds
- new standard street furniture and unique seating
- new street, pedestrian and creative lighting to improve the night time presence of the precinct
- artwork and lighting creative outcomes
- creative elements including a solar powered lightbox and roller door murals to enhance centre character and identity.
Community engagement
Council launched the Darra Village Precinct Project in late September 2019. The local community were encouraged to become involved in the planning for the improvement proposal by providing feedback via an online survey and by sharing ideas in person at an information kiosk at the Darra Street Festival, in October 2019. Feedback and suggestions from the community highlighted the need to improve:
- pedestrian safety and amenity
- places to sit and gather
- overall streetscape amenity and attractiveness
- planting, shade and greenery
- the need to celebrate the diversity of the precinct.
Creative outcomes
The community was initially invited to share their ideas for the public space improvements during September and October 2019. The feedback helped inform the rationale for the centre improvements. The intent of the creative outcomes is to promote a sense of connection throughout the precinct with the local community, improve the centre's identity and celebrate local character.
The creative outcomes for the site were informed by an artist-facilitated community workshop held in the local restaurant, Que Huong. This was an opportunity for local residents to share their story and connection to Darra. Participants were also asked to respond to the artists' question - what do you see in common between community and nature?
The Darra Village Precinct Project creative outcomes include:
- solar-powered lightbox located on 139 Darra Station Road (Lee Lane frontage) displaying photographs taken by artists Man and Wah Cheung during the community workshop
- eleven roller door murals located along Railway Parade. Design concepts for the mural were developed by artists Man and Wah Cheung, using the workshop participants’ responses to the question – what do you see in common between community and nature? The murals where delivered by MCRT Studio.
Find out more about the creative outcomes.
More information
For more information on the Darra Village Precinct Project, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask to speak to the project team.