Mount Gambier City Council will investigate the possibility of closing Watson Terrace for three months.

The investigation follows a request made by Councillor Max Bruins to trial the closure from November this year through to the end of January 2024.

Cr Bruins tabled a notice of motion at council’s August monthly meeting.

His initial motion was that investigations be undertaken as to the viability of a trial closure on Friday evenings from 4pm to 10pm in November and December this year.

He said the closure would be for the purpose of CBD activation, including food trucks and live entertainment.

“Watson Terrace and the adjoining lawns of the Cave Gardens come alive with community use for festivals such as Fringe Festival and is a unique space that is underutilised for broader CBD activation purposes,” Cr Bruin said.

“During the pleasant sunny afternoons we experience in the lead up to Christmas, it would be fantastic to see the CBD come alive on Friday evenings and have the community come together after work to share food, drinks and some live local entertainment.

“The purpose of this motion is to set the wheels in motion and identify any key issues that may need to be addressed and the potential costs involved in running a temporary closure of Watson Terrace during evenings over the summer months.”

However, following discussion the motion was amended to three months.

Cr Bruins requested council report outlining any issues or concerns back to council at its next monthly meeting in September.

Meanwhile, it was reported Jens Hotel manager Aaron Davis said fresh ideas were needed to get more people out and about.

He said more needs to be done to attract tourists and locals to the centre of town.

“You go to Warrnambool and places like that are quite activated. With us we are a bit behind the times,” Mr Davis said.

“I know shows I have done in the past where we have shut down Watson Terrace, we have had a good group of people come out, listen to music, put some food vans out. Just something different.”

More recently, council has been contemplating ways to make the area around Commercial Street East, between Bay Road and Ferrers Street, more attractive.