Monaro Street's new colours

Six businesses have received a new coat of paint in complimentary colour schemes as part of an incentive by Queanbeyan City Council to improve the look of the main street.

The Council offered elected businesses up to $10,000 to improve their facades which was to be matched on a dollar for dollar basis.

The very first building to undergo a transformation was the Ken Oliphant building on the corner of Crawford and Monaro Street. This was followed by Cassidy's Arcade, the Dudley Building and three adjoining businesses at 9 - 17 Monaro Street that is leased to the New Cathay Chinese Restaurant, Thai Queanbeyan Restaurant and Hotondo Homes.

Work onthe final buidling, the National Australia Bank, is almost complete.

Tony's Queanbeyan Hairdressing Salon owner Jason Tutalo has been running his business from Cassidy's Arcade for the past 25 years. He said he has received plenty of positive feedback from customers about the improvements to the walkway and building's exterior.

"A lot of customers have noticed [the changes] and they say it looks much better," he said.

"Many of the buildings in the main street used to look a bit rundown and needed some paint. Some have been painted recently like us but if they do all the buildings along the street, it will be a real improvement."

Other businesses have been getting in on the act.

As part of the Walsh's Hotel renovation, the owners decided to replace the existing purple and red colour scheme with a more traditional combination of white walls with green tiles.

The Tourist Hotel is currently in the midst of their $1.8 million upgrade. Some of the changes include buttermilk and black shine tiles on the front facade.

A Queanbeyan City Council spokesperson said they were looking forward to working with more businesses on this project in the next financial year.