A CLOSE CALL
An elderly Warragul couple is horrified at a proposal to build a roundabout just two metres from their front gate.
Adding to the shock, Neil and Heather Reeves who have lived at 58 Albert St for 52 years learnt of the proposed plans via a letter drop.
The couple’s son Douglas Reeves said the issue “is having a detrimental and physical effect on my parents”.
Baw Baw Shire proposes to construct a roundabout at the Albert and Mason St intersection at an estimated cost of $440,281 as part of the Warragul central business district masterplan.
There also are plans for a roundabout at Mason St/Palmerston St as well as improvements to Mason St/Williams St.
Under the proposed plans, Mr and Mrs Reeves would lose a corner nature strip to make way for the roundabout. Only a footpath is set to stand between the busy roadway and 112-year-old house and its original front gate and posts.
Mr Reeves said his first reactions were “shock and horror”. He is concerned a speeding motorist could crash into the property.
Aged in his late 80s, Mr Reeves is not sleeping and his health has declined dramatically since learning of the plans. He admitted “it’s affected me a lot mentally, physically”.
“It’s a real worry,” added Mrs Reeves. “We know something has to be done because of all this traffic.”
However, Mrs Reeves questioned why the roundabout couldn’t encroach upon the now vacant former pool site opposite rather than their front gate.
She also believed traffic lights with solar panels would be a better fit with safer outcomes, questioning which would be a more cost-effective option.
From p1 The couple also believe a roundabout will make reversing out of their driveway impossible.
Mrs Reeves was disappointed the shire didn’t have the courtesy of sending an officer to discuss the plans. Instead, a fact sheet was delivered in December. A shire staff member has since visited.
“Papers folded up in the front gate, that was the only way we got it,” she said.
Baw Baw Shire community assets director David Dunstan said a project manager had met with the property owners and noted their concerns. He said council officers were currently working with the design consultant to explore alternate options, if available, relating to the roundabout size and location.
Mr Dunstan said there was no minimum requirements for the distance between a roundabout and private property with the roundabout size driven by the swept path required for 19-metre semi-trailers.
“However, council officers are further reviewing the design to explore any options available to move the roundabout further away from the property,” he said. The concept design has been prepared considering all the site constraints, including consideration for minimising the impact of loss of trees and parking in that area and safe turning manoeuvres requirements. The current design allows for a suitable roundabout to be constructed within the existing road reserve with a barrier curb.”
Mr Dunstan said traffic signals were not investigated as an alternative because signals were most suitable for very high volume sites.
“Roundabouts readily cater for high requirements for right turns and usually involve fewer delays than traffic signals during the off-peak periods, leading to less overall delays to traffic throughout the day,” he said.
He said traffic data indicated the average casualty crash rate at roundabouts was about half of the rate of signalised intersections under all road environments.
“Given the traffic volume and speed along Albert St and Mason St, and the presence of similar treatments at Albert St/Smith St and Albert St/Normanby St, a roundabout at this location is considered the most appropriate treatment.”
In relation to driveway access concerns, Mr Dunstan said the proposed design allowed for access to all properties within the vicinity of the intersection.
“We are in the process of collating feedback from directly affected residents and the broader community, and will prepare a report to council on this matter for its consideration at the council meeting scheduled on February 8,” he said. “Council officers will continue to work with the resident at 58 Albert Street to further refine the concept design wherever possible to achieve an acceptable outcome.”
Residents can provide feedback on the proposed intersection designs for Mason St until Friday.