Proposal to be turned down

A COUNCILLOR’S bid to allow traffic to turn from Moorabool St into Little Malop St’s west end appears set to fail, with a city report warning against the move.

Councillors will tonight vote on a report recommending not to create a roadway to allow traffic to turn from Moorabool St on to the street, which could cost up to $412,000.

Brownbill Ward’s Cr Eddy Kontelj had earlier this year called on the city to produce a report into opening up the pedestrian strip to traffic when the city passed a motion to banish traffic from the key section of Little Malop St.

The report recommended the move to open Moorabool St to vehicle access into Little Malop St through either of two proposed options “not be pursued at this time”.

“The presented options to open Little Malop St to Moorabool St to vehicle access would impose negative impacts on pedestrians, cyclists, buses and general traffic flow on Moorabool St,” the report concluded.

“Any implementation of Option 1 or 2 would also reverse regeneration gains and a people-focused environment in Central Geelong, along with failing to embrace changes that reflect best practice in city reshaping.”

The report also suggests the council move ahead with its March decision to ban traffic on Little Malop St between Dennys Place and Moorabool St from 10am-4am daily. The city will now spend about $90,000 on automatic rising bollards on Little Malop St at Dennys Place, to restrict vehicle access to the street and increase pedestrian safety.

Some business owners had voiced concerns with the proposed vehicle restrictions impacting delivery trucks, tenants and bands bringing equipment to music venues.

Cr Kontelj said he had put forward his motion amendment requesting a report into adding vehicle access to Little Malop St from Moorabool St after receiving “feedback from businesses in the area”.

“This could allow for permanent closure of Little Malop St between Shorts Place and Dennys Place in future, to make it a fully pedestrianised and al fresco area. All in all it’s a positive step forward and we look forward to seeing the additional information we’ve requested,” he said.

Cr Kontelj met one of the city’s biggest developers — who owns two buildings on the corner of Little Malop St and Shorts Place, and another at the end of Shorts Place — the day before introducing his amendment at meeting.

The developer, Bill Votsaris, confirmed he had handed a copy of his council submission to Cr Kontelj at the meeting, which included his recommendation to “support the total closure to all vehicle 24/7 from Dannys Lane to Shorts Place” and to “allow access to Shorts Place via Moorabool St 24/7”.