DISTRICT Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula chief executive Rod Pearson says there are exciting times ahead for Cummins, with a range of major projects happening in the next few months.
One of them includes a major upgrade of the town's main street – Bruce Terrace – which is about to start.
"The main street upgrade has been in the pipeline for a number of years, but we had been seeking state government funding to help with the project," Mr Pearson said.
"We've now been successful in obtaining $125,000 in funding, which will go a long way in contributing towards the overall $650,000 project cost."
Mr Pearson described the Bruce Terrace upgrade as a "significant project" for the town.
"The project will provide kerbing and storm water upgrades," he said.
"We want to have the project completed before harvest."
The extremely wet weather conditions in Cummins in June and July meant the town's storm water was put to the test.
Cummins recorded decile 9 rainfall for the two months and resulting waterpools on roads highlighted the need for upgrades.
Mr Pearson it was important the project was completed before harvest, in late October and early November, as the town was now a major hub for grain accumulation.
The importance of Cummins was highlighted by the opening of a new Viterra office on Railway Terrace earlier this year, and 16 staff moving to the site.
As part of the Bruce Terrace upgrade, an intersection near the town's park will be redesigned.
"This redesign of the intersection will make it safer for movements through the main street, particularly for harvest movements," Mr Pearson said.
The town's park is receiving a facelift as well, with the installation of a 'wheat lumper' statue.
He said council was doing all it could to make Cummins as safe as possible during the busy harvest period by putting in a submission to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.
"We are applying for a speed limit reduction through the town from 50 kilometres an hour down to 40km/hr during harvest," he said.
"We want the speed limit to be reduced from the entrance to the town oval right through to the other end of town.
"We want to make it safer because we have a lot of trucks coming through at harvest time.
"Cummins is a strategic site for Viterra's receivals on the EP, so we have a lot of grain coming through."
There will also be a new pedestrian crossing installed to enhance safety in the town.
"We're putting in a new pedestrian crossing south of the main railway crossing, on Railway Terrace, to make it safer for people to cross the street," Mr Pearson said.
He said a major upgrade of the Remembrance area in the town with a new statue was largely funded by the community and saw a large crowd congregate at this year's Anzac Day celebrations.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 25, 2014 issue.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
