Residents face address change without moving

A number of residents in Lillico Rd, Warragul may be changing addresses without moving house.

Baw Baw Shire is currently consulting with property owners at the western end of Lillico Rd about a possible road name change.

Some residents have already indicated their opposition to the proposal to The Gazette.

The road change may be forced on residents because of a new 369 lot residential subdivision at 270 Brandy Creek Rd.

Council has sent letters and a map detailing the proposed subdivision and road network and surveyed affected residents.

Resident Terry Hennessy said council and the developer should have to redraw the intersection so that Lillico Rd remains the main road.

Planning and economic development director Matthew Cripps said the residential subdivision, approved by officers, was within Warragul’s urban growth zone.

He said the subdivision includes a connector road which was identified in the Warragul precinct structure plan.

“This road connects Lillico Rd from the bend straight through to Brandy Creek Rd, north of where it currently intersects.

“It has been identified as an important strategic transport link, providing east-west passage on the northern side of Warragul.

“This link is required to be constructed as a part of the subdivision,” he said.

Mr Cripps said a roundabout would have to be constructed at the intersection of Lillico Rd and the new connector road.

He said this was considered the safest intersection treatment and some road alignment works also would need to be undertaken.

Mr Cripps said as a result of the proposed subdivision the existing Lillico Rd would need to make a right hand turn at a roundabout to continue along the rest of the road.

He said maintaining the existing naming on the approved road configuration was against state road naming rules.

“As the responsible authority we are obliged to adhere to the road naming rules, hence the proposal to rename a section of Lillico Rd is currently being considered,” he said.

The proposal has not been met with support by some residents who are concerned about the loss of history in the area.

Mr Hennessy said Lillico Rd was named more than 130 years ago because it ran past Andrew Lillico’s house, which still stands on the section under threat.

He said the proposed name of Carrington Rd recalled an historic property long gone from the area.

He questioned who would meet the cost of residents having to change their address details.

“If a name change was mooted in the development plans why weren’t the residents consulted before the development was approved and a compensation scheme for residents included in the application.

“I can only feel sorry for any person who purchases a block of land on the new Lillico Rd who will receive mail destined for the original Lillico Rd resident for years to come,” he said.

Council officers are currently preparing a report for council.

Any road name change also would have to be presented to the Office of Geographic Names allowing further consultation.