A larger shade structure desired for the Hargreaves Mall would have cost $720,000.

The City of Greater Bendigo is instead planning on proceeding with a smaller design, for which $500,000 was allocated in its 2020/21 budget.

The $500,000 will also cover the cost of removing the pop-up park from the mall.

Further works planned for the area, such as streetscaping and landscaping, are expected to cost $230,000. A future budget allocation would be sought to cover those works.

The design budget for both the shade structure and the planned further works was $150,000. The funding was allocated in the council budget for the previous financial year.

Earlier

PLANS to install a shade structure in the Hargreaves Mall are progressing, with the City of Greater Bendigo releasing an artist's impression of the proposed design.

Mayor Jennifer Alden said the design was shaped by feedback from the community and from businesses in the mall.

"The community has clearly told us they want to see more 'shade, colour, softness and activity' in the mall, and this beautiful design will help to do just that and provide year-round weather protection as well," Cr Alden said.

"We've also consulted with businesses in the mall on the structure's design and I am pleased to say there has been overwhelming support."

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The city said the proposed shade structured would have a curved wooden shape, which would be made from natural and sustainably-sourced materials.

Laser-cut panels would produce dappled shade comparable to that which would be cast by a tree, and rainfall would be captured and channelled into the mall's irrigation system.

The City of Greater Bendigo expected the shade structure would take about a month to install, and that the work would take place before the end of June.

The pop-up park in the mall would be removed when the shade structure was installed.

"While the pop-up park has been hugely successful, it is now reaching the end of its two-year life span," a statement from the city said.

The city said the shade structure was a priority action of the Transforming the City Centre Action Plan, which was adopted in 2018.

Funding was allocated to the project in the city's 2020/21 budget.

"The structure will not only create a cooler environment in summer but will enable the mall to be used year-round for a wide range of events such as markets, fun days and live music performances," Cr Alden said.

The mayor said many businesses described the proposed shade structure as "warm, welcoming and inviting" and expected it would have a positive impact on retail trade and the vibrancy of the mall.

"The city is working hard on a range of measures to not only improve public safety but also to attract more people, more often to the city centre by hosting events, ensuring high quality amenities, and attracting and supporting businesses," Cr Alden said.

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The shade structure forms part of plans to deliver a "new, cohesive, and modern look for the mall."

Further plans include new streetscaping and landscaping, which the City of Greater Bendigo said would include new permanent public seating, a low-level stage for outdoor performances and additional greenery.

Those works would be subject to a future budget allocation, and the designs were still being developed.

"This is an exciting project and we've reached this point thanks to the community's well-considered suggestions and feedback to improve the mall," the mayor said.

"I encourage people to take a look at the artist impression of the structure's design and future streetscape and landscaping to see what has been planned.

"The city will do everything it can to minimise disruption to local traders and residents. Most of the fabrication can be done off-site and during construction there will still be full access to the mall."

The City of Greater Bendigo had planned for the shade structure to be larger, but amended its plans to keep the project on budget.

Its statement said construction of a new hotel planned for the mall was "due to start very soon".

Expressions of interest in tenancies in two former toilet buildings, which have been converted into spaces for pop-up businesses, would open "shortly".

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