This is not so much a tale of two cities as it is of two old main streets.
Two main streets which have gone into decline but are hanging in there and will more than likely come back bursting with life.
Queen Street in Campbelltown and Macquarie Street in Liverpool are fairly similar in topography as well as length and like most main streets across the country have hit hard times since the arrival of shopping malls in regional hubs like Liverpool and Campbelltown during the past 40 to 50 years.
The local councils have tried a few different ways to keep main streets alive, with varying results.
There have been pedestrian malls put in, one way traffic, angle parking, you name the solution they’ve tried it.
Campbelltown is thinking about what to do next for Queen Street, which is currently one way in a southerly direction and with angle parking between Allman Street in the south and Cordeuax Street in the north .
Macquarie Street, between Moore Street and Terminus Street, is two way.
Facing north, there is the wonderful Macquarie Mall extending from Moore Street to Elizabeth Street, opposite Westfield.
Or should I say was the wonderful Macquarie Mall because currently it’s an excavation/construction site.
Full credit to Liverpool Council for spending a lot of money to give the Mall a major facelift and it’s really nobody’s fault that there have been delays in the work.
The hope is that the brand new Mall will rise up by next Christmas and become the catalyst of a revival in the entire Macquarie Street.
As for Queen Street, which is quietly chugging away but also does need a facelift and an injection of excitement – Liverpool last year introduced Night Markets – patience is required. That’s because nobody seems to be in a hurry to do anything about it.
Maybe the council elections in September will bring in some fresh faces with new ideas and lots and lots of youthful energy.
On the other hand…don’t hold your breath.
