THE community might have to wait before the council's cool change for Fitzroy Street is fully rolled out.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This week, council staff have been installing four permanent "living umbrellas" in the Fitzroy Plaza ahead of the country music festival.
The umbrellas came after the $4.5 million Fitzroy upgrade was criticised for its lack of shade and seating.
READ MORE:
Eventually, the new shaded seating pods will feature climbing vines as well as misters which start at the push of a button.
Acting planning director Sam Lobsey said those features will have to wait until there is more favourable conditions.
"Given the situation we are in, with the drought and the restrictions in place in the region, we are not intending on planting those vines right now," Mr Lobsey said.
The council will finish four "living umbrellas" prior to the festival beginning next week and further five will be installed afterwards.
The umbrellas will be permanent and future events in the plaza will have to work around them.
"We will be working around them to make sure events are held in the best way," Mr Lobsey said.
While he hadn't spoken to stallholders locked-in for the upcoming festival, Mr Lobsey was sure they could see the benefit of the new Fitzroy layout.
"I would imagine with some additional shade put in place and allowing more people to be able to congregate in this area, I think that's all better for everyone," he said.
"It is important we make the space work for every single event."
There are plans to install more lighting and public lighting in the area in the future.
Seating will also be installed around the established Chinese elms in the plaza.
The councillors voted to spend the remaining $349,000 in the Fitzroy Street upgrade project budget, plus $465,885 from the civil construction reserve, to fund the works.
The initial $4.5 million in street works for the area started in May 2017 and were completed in early 2018.