Parking dilemma

Paths plan shocks traders

COUNCIL has confirmed almost $5 million of TAC funding for safer cycling and pedestrian paths is available only for the proposed south and western routes, despite some community opposition.

The City of Greater Geelong’s Southern Link Project will likely lead to the removal of on-street parking in front of Kardinia Park in Moorabool St.

Moorabool St traders oppose a section of the south route, running from central Geelong to Waurn Ponds, because they believe the carpark removal will impact on their ability to trade.

Geelong Floorworld owner Ty Watts said traders understood the bike project would strip the street of 48 vital allday carparks that business owners relied on to attract customers and retain employees.

Traders met council representatives on Wednesday night to voice their opposition and share two alternative routes — one along Yarra St and a second along the outskirts of Kardinia Park.

But Mr Watts said traders were shocked to learn no alternative options were included in the $4.7 million funding allocated to the project through the TAC’s Safer Pedestrian and Cyclist Fund.

The council’s director of city services, Guy WilsonBrowne, confirmed this. “Traders presented a number of alternative options to using Moorabool St,” he said.

“However, the $4.7 million grant from the TAC’s Safer Pedestrian and Cyclist Fund is only available for the southern (Geelong to Waurn Ponds) and western (Geelong to Herne Hill) cycling routes that were set four years ago as part of a statewide process, led by VicRoads to identify principal bicycle networks across regional Victoria.”

Mr Watts said Moorabool St traders were “furious” no other routes could be funded and the group would petition the council.