The million-dollar beautification of the Jull Street Mall should be almost complete right now.
The installation of new seating, lighting, bike racks and gardens was originally scheduled to begin at the end of April.
But delays have scuppered the project before on-site works could even begin.
‘What’s Happening in the Jull Street Mall’ signs placed at either end of the much-maligned pedestrian thoroughfare are the only visual indication that the project is still forging ahead.
City of Armadale mayor Ruth Butterfield said the delays were down to supply chain issues.
“Onsite works relied on the receipt of specialist items with long lead times,” she said.
“Being mindful of the city’s stakeholders, it was determined the preferred approach was to delay the start of onsite works, rather than deliver with a protracted construction program.
“This was to consolidate the construction window and minimise the impact on businesses and public.”
Mayor Butterfield said local businesses had been kept in the loop. And eagle-eyed observers might have noticed the revised schedule on the project website.
The majority of the $1.05 million funding for the makeover is coming from the federal government’s Phase 3 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure stimulus program. But one condition of that funding is a construction deadline of June 30 this year – a timeframe which has already been extended by the government.
The Examiner asked the city if the delays would now jeopardise that funding.
“The project has commenced since appointing a contractor. This has seen constructions, with project forward works and planning complete, furniture construction complete and product procurement complete,” mayor Butterfield said.
“Onsite construction will commence on site next Monday, 17 June.”
The mall’s upgrade is now expected to be finished in September.
