A makeover of Taree's Manning Street will be completed by winter next year.
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MidCoast Council secured $200,000 from the federal government's local roads and community infrastructure program for the streetscape upgrade which will include new seating, planter boxes and trees.
Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie and mayor David West agreed the project was a long time coming.
Dr Gillespie said the street is a 'concrete jungle', with the upgrade to enhance the retail experience.
"It's been a bit tired for a long time, the top end with the plants and roundabout are great but it's a lot of tarmac and footpath," Dr Gillespie said.
"It will be a real tonic to the retail experience in this street."
Cr West said there hasn't been an opportunity to conduct the project until now. It's also an upgrade the community has cried out for.
"The days of shopping centres being just tarmac and footpaths are finished," Cr West said.
"You look at Victoria Street which is an area you can meet people, sit and have a coffee in an environment that is welcoming with little exhaust fumes and noisy motor vehicles.
"This will slow vehicles down and make the environment safer for people to cross the road further away from the pedestrian crossings.
"Manning Street has needed this for many years and I'm pleased we have a government that recognises that."
Cr West said the project ties in with council's Vision 2030 and Vibrant Spaces initiatives.
He likened the project to the Tuncurry seven day makeover, which turned a drab thoroughfare into a shopping destination.
"Anyone that goes to Tuncurry will see the transformation from being a very stark environment where people didn't want to shop," Cr West said.
"This will do the same, it will change the environment and make it more welcoming so people can embrace what's going on in the community."
A concept design will be prepared in the next three months, with consultation to follow next year.
Council has now received $8.1 million through the infrastructure program.
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