Ken Wells’ vision for High St sparks optimistic council response

As owner of Echuca Heritage Sweet Co for two decades, Mr Wells has witnessed countless changes to High St’s streetscape and knows first hand what works for the community.

A petition he filed with Campaspe Shire Council at its February meeting about upgrading the streetscape along High St has been met with a positive response from its officers and councillors.

The petition asks council to undertake streetscape works between Heygarth and Warren streets to “significantly improve the presentation” of the historic precinct of Echuca.

The petition garnered 42 signatures from a cross-section of High St stakeholders — residents, ratepayers and business owners — all sharing concerns about the street’s current condition.

“The current landscaping of High St is in a poor state and needs improvement for the benefit of local residents and the large number of tourists who choose to visit the historic area,” the petition writes.

“Given the increasing temperatures during summer, increased greening of the street will enable more people to enjoy the precinct for longer periods, encourage more visitation and thereby increase employment opportunities and provide a greater financial benefit for the Campaspe Shire.”

Mr Wells said he had noticed a decline in the streetscaping at his patch of the street in the past couple of years, in particular the wooden panelling and the trees on the median strip which seem to have stunted.

After speaking with a few community leaders and business owners along the street, he decided to make a move.

“A few of the traders and owners of the properties I’ve spoken to are not happy with the standard of the streetscape itself (and) the amenities for the people who come down here,” Mr Wells said.

“There’s very little shade from the heat and the sun, particularly.

“So I thought, maybe we need to talk to council and see what we can get done down here.”

After collecting signatures and finalising the petition, Mr Wells submitted it to council, where it was presented at the first council meeting of 2026.

It received a response from council director of infrastructure Kate Lemon read by chief executive Pauline Gordon.

She explained that while High St currently fell under Department of Transport control, negotiations were under way to “possibly transfer“ ownership to council.

If the transfer is approved, council will explore the options of a High St redesign between the roundabouts at Warren St and Heygarth St.

“In the meantime, council will consider opportunities for planting to be undertaken in available vacant spaces where those plantings would be able to be retained in the landscape pending any alternative designs,” Ms Gordan said on behalf of Ms Lemon.

Cr Zoe Cook moved to accept the petition, thanking the residents for raising their concerns and for council’s response before going to a vote.

While Cr Paul Jarman was unable to vote on the petition due to a conflict of interest, the petition was accepted unanimously by the remaining councillors.

Mr Wells was approached by Ms Gordon after the public and the media were excused from the council meeting.

Ms Gordan told him she would get in contact soon to discuss the vision that council has for the street.

It’s an optimistic beginning to a story that is likely to continue to unravel as council faces state government approval, budget constraints and never-ending external opinions.

Nevertheless, it marks the first step in a journey that could transform Mr Wells’ vision into reality for the entire Echuca community.