Cr Bec Bowles

Murrindindi Shire Council has issued a statement regarding the community’s participation in plans to re-model traffic arrangements in High St, Yea:

The revised design for Council’s safety upgrade works on High Street in Yea is in.

Murrindindi Shire Council Cheviot Ward Councillor, Bec Bowles said with feedback and ideas from almost 70 community members, there have been a number of changes to the original concept design.

“While the big things – like the move to a single lane of traffic in both directions and the development of ‘protected parking lanes’ – are the same, community input has shaped some changes that will ensure maximum usability of High Street for vehicles and pedestrians,” Cr Bowles said.

“One of the key changes to the design is the inclusion of extra space between the traffic lane and the protected parking lane. This will ensure larger vehicles can pass comfortably and safely.

“We have also reduced the width of the kerb out the front of the petrol station on the south side of High Street to ensure fuel tankers can access the site. The reduction in the kerb width in that area has the added benefit of allowing cars to queue in the protected parking lane instead of the traffic lane during peak times.

“A number of community members suggested the pedestrian ‘crossing point’ proposed, in the original concept design, for in front of the Country Club Hotel might be better placed out the front of the supermarket breezeway.

“After investigating this option, we found we were not able to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act at this point. So the revised concept design has this ‘crossing point’ in its original position.

“Input from the Yea Access and Inclusion Committee has helped us ensure all the pedestrian ‘crossing points’ in the design are as safe and user-friendly as possible for our community members with mobility challenges.

“In addition to making changes to our concept designs for High Street, we also took a number of community concerns, raised during the consultation, to Regional Roads Victoria for consideration. These included the speed limits on High and Station Streets, putting a pedestrian (zebra) crossing on High Street and the parallel parking issue out the front of the post office and the bowls club. We’ll keep you updated on the outcomes of these suggestions as we find out more from Regional Roads Victoria.

“Last but not least: following community frustrations with congestion on High Street, the changes to the concept design will include installing a number of signs directing long vehicles around the corner, and behind the shops, to Snodgrass Street for parking.

“Council will investigate options for future upgrades to Snodgrass Street to enhance its parking facilities. We will carry out a comprehensive review of existing parking signage on High Street and introduce some timed-parking, including 10-minute parking spots to help ensure there are spots available when you just need to drop into the bank or grab some milk.

I encourage you to jump onto Council’s website and have a look at the latest design for High Street, Yea, and where your ideas and feedback have being factored in. We’re planning to kick off the works in early 2020, so stay tuned for more information,” Cr Bowles said.

“Thanks to everyone who took the time to get involved in this important consultation process – your input has been invaluable. Thanks too, to the Victorian Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program for their support,” Cr Bowles said.