One way street concern
Warragul central business district retailers have raised concerns that one way traffic in Palmerston St will impact business activity.
With streetscape plans currently on the table for consultation, Baw Baw Shire’s acting community assets director Vishal Gupta said impact on businesses and car parking needed to be given further consideration before any works were finalised.
The project reference group managing the project has suggested a multi-deck car park needs to be established before one way traffic arrangements are implemented.
Council allocated $2 million in its draft 2018/18 budget for a package of streetscape works which includes a major overhaul of Palmerston St.
A major part of the works is to implement one way traffic in Palmerston St, in an easterly direction, between Victoria and Smiths Sts.
But, business owners and retailers have raised concerns with the project reference group managing the project.
Mr Gupta said the primary concern was the potential for reduced traffic as a result of the one way street and its impact on individual businesses.
He said the project reference group also raised concerns about the lack of parking within the CBD area and emphasised the urgent need for a multi-deck car park, preferably before the one way traffic arrangements are implemented.
Mr Gupta said as a result of the one-way arrangement, there would be an opportunity to create three additional parking spaces in that section, including two accessible parking spaces.
The Palmerston St works also includes creating a wide pedestrian promenade on the south side of Palmerston St which can be utilised for outdoor dining and retail activities.
Mr Gupta said the works include a feature pavement at both ends and in the centre to help prevent potential conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. A new dedicated kiosk would be installed at the existing kiosk location.
Additional lighting and seating and removable bollards to allow for street closures during big events also are included.
Mr Gupta said final design for the works was currently under review and subject to consultation with the PRG and Warragul Business Group.
He said council officers will meet with the Warragul Business Group in the next few weeks to discuss the streetscape works and other proposed traffic treatments within the CBD.
Mr Gupta said the business community had identified an “urgent” need for a multi-deck car park.
Council recently initiated an expression of interest process for construction of multi-deck car parking area and as a result is further investigating options, including cash-in-lieu schemes, private/council partnerships and council funded models.
Council’s proposed streetscape works also proposes one way traffic (south direction) in Smith St between Palmerston and Victoria Sts. These works are scheduled for 2018/19 financial year and final plans for these works have not been developed.