Community responds to new streetscape

Streetscape works are well underway in Smith St, Warragul.

New pedestrian crossing points and median garden beds are features of the works. Council worked closely with a project reference group and traders to design the works with the main aim to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety.

Parking spaces have been widened and disabled car parking spaces have been increased – but this has meant the loss of eight car spaces. The Gazette’s Facebook Forum last week asked people what they thought.

Moe than 130 people responded to the Facebook post. While there were many positive comments about the works so far, the overwhelming response was criticism relating to the narrow roadway, height of the raised pedestrian crossings and the loss of carparks. This is a selection of the responses: Jody Hammond - Less car parking, narrow street, speed hump as high as Mt Baw Baw and more pokey pedestrian crossings...my god Baw Baw Shire you have proven again you have no idea what a local community wants or needs.

Sarah Wellings - The speed hump does wonders for a lowered car. I have to slow right down and go over it in first gear and on an angle.

Hannah Murray - Like Warragul can afford to lose any car parks it’s already impossible to get a park as it is.

Matt Collins - Another terrible decision by the shire council. All for pedestrian safety but could have been done other ways. As for the garden big mistake. That will just cause traffic congestion from cars entering and exiting car parks

Keane Bannister - The days of pulling up in front of your favourite store or coffee shop were over al ong time ago, not just in Warragul, but most places now as the population grows around the state. If you’re prepared to walk a hundred metres east or west of the CBD and not just relying on ‘Russian Roulette’ down Smith or Victoria St there is sufficient parking to service the town. It’s easy for people to slam the shire for every decision they make, but continued investment in the improvement of major town aesthetics will continue to complement the beautiful area that we are privileged to live in

Benny Olsen - Speedhump is a bloody joke. 100mm is the minimum height you can have on a car...I drive through in my slightly lowered BMW and drag the front on it…cheers Baw Baw you have found yet another way to make this town and its roads even more shit.

Naomi Young - Less car parks, go Baw Baw Shire super smart but on the good side with the beds in the middle that will stop cars from the opposite side of the road stealing car parks and also hopefully people will use the crossings because that’s why they are there. So some good things and some bad things but does that speed bump have to be so big?

Annette Henry - Yes, we need more parking, however we also need wider parking spaces. It can be very difficult to get young children and elderly passengers out of and in to cars, when they are parked so close. Unfortunately we can’t have both.

Alan Cusden - I have watched people waving their arms at the car that nearly hit them while they were crossing the road less then 20 metres from a pedestrian crossing. Now the median strip will act as a safety zone for the pedestrians to ignore the pedestrian crossings even more so.

Delta Hill - Maybe the council should start charging for the parking? This is free parking that you’re complaining about. There are lots of parks just up at the Woolies car park. It’s less than a minute’s walk. Sure, it’s tough at peak times like Christmas, but where isn’t? Some people will find anything to complain about.

Tania Cornwall - Another waste of money...too many parking spaces lost...a crossing that won’t be use as people can now stand in the middle. The post office car parks are the biggest loss.

Rosie Grace McCormack - Glad the parks are wider. Hard to fit large cars in. Also the old Sam’s Warehouse car park is always empty and also behind the club hotel/bowling alley there are always spare spots so I think the loss of 8 parks isn’t such a big deal.

Libby Walters - We moved out this way just over a year ago from Melbourne, and I don’t see any issues with the parking! Try parking in busy places in Melbourne and then see if you still think it’s bad in Warragul! I’ve been there at all times of the day and never had a problem. It’s really not that busy in Warragul

Kellie Phillips - I think the streetscape looks good. Yes, it will take some getting used to but I think ultimately council are trying to change our behaviours and divert people away from the CBD if they are only driving through. Traffic congestion will lessen significantly if those that are only driving through the CBD use alternate routes.

Brad Child - In a town where carparks are an endangered species losing eight more parking spots is a big deal. Perhaps rather than making things pretty, the council should address the real elephant in the room.

Nick Woodson - I think it’s practical. Stops people from making right hand turns and holding up all the traffic. As for the car spaces, if people are willing to walk more than 10 meters to the shops, there are spaces everywhere.

Geoff Riddle - Does the ‘designer’ of this idiotic waste of my good hard earned money (I am a ratepayer) actually live in our shire, and has ever had to find a parking space in the cbd? Bring back parking meters!!! Council should before they spend ‘our’ money go to any of the pubs and see if their ideas pass the pub test.

Dionne Skellern - Can’t help but wonder how hard it is going to be for larger vehicles to reverse out of these car parks now (especially down near Lean and Green ). The garden beds dividing the road are just way too wide for such a constantly busy road.

Daniel Powell - It’s good that the pedestrians and disabled have been looked after and the streetscape makes it nice but desperate for more car parking. Just like Drouin.

Brett Thompson – It’s a nice street to drive through on your way to go shopping in Moe or Pakenham, looks good, shire should be proud.

John Cornwall - What a waste of money ! How about getting the football oval going so the 2 clubs trying to train on one oval that they are never allowed on and have to train on a cow paddock instead. Can’t just train and go into your social rooms like every other club in the state. Complete joke Baw Baw Shire.

Sean Demos - Worst thing to happen in Warragul in a long time. Good job taking away much needed carparks.

Christina Boughey - maybe not practical.

Bev King - Stupid stupid. What are they thinking. Do they ever try and shop here or are they like everyone else and have to shop out of town.

Penny Banger Ohara - How many pedestrian crossings and roundabouts do we need in such a short amount of a road way , bloody crap.

Lee Pattinson - Might look good but there is not enough parking in Warragul as it is. With losing 8 parking spots this will make it more difficult to shop in Warragul.

Baw Baw Shire Council - Welcome the discussions, some important information to consider: Council has consulted broadly using a number of channels (local paper; town visits; online; radio; meetings) and engaged members from across the community to guide and approve the final design (organisations such as Victoria Police; Ambulance; BB Ratepayers Association; Warragul Business Group; Warragul Taxis; Historical Society; Warragul Cycling have been instrumental in guiding the upgrade design) It looks nicer but