In response to community concerns, Murrindindi Shire Council began working on a plan to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety on High Street, Yea last year.
Thanks to support from the Victorian Government's 'Fixing Country Roads' Program, Council now has a concept design for the proposed safety upgrades on High Street, and is keen to gather community feedback on the design before works begin in early 2020.
Cheviot Ward Councillor, Bec Bowles said the goal of the Yea Streetscape Safety Upgrade Project is primarily to improve the safety of pedestrians crossing the road and vehicles reversing out of the angle parking in High Street.
"Council is investing $170,900 in the Project and the Victorian Government's 'Fixing Country Roads' Program is providing $341,800 to carry out the works.
"The concept design proposes making both directions of traffic one lane rather than two and constructing a number of new kerbs which will reduce the distance pedestrians have to cover between the footpath and the median strip (middle section of the road). These kerbs will also function as a barrier between traffic and the angle parking, protecting those reversing out," Cr Bowles said.
"To address visibility issues, the concept design proposes changing the most troublesome sections of parallel parking to angled parking and providing better direction for long vehicles about the best places for them to park – a particular challenge on long weekends.
"Last but not least, we're also taking this opportunity to replace the irrigation system on the median strip, which will help us keep the grass green and improve the appearance of this important open space.
"We understand that the community has a number of different views on how best to address safety concerns on High Street, Yea, and Council is keen for these ideas to inform the final design. We do have some budget constraints and safety standard guidelines which mean there are some limitations about what changes can be made to the concept design at this stage. Some of the ideas put forward during this consultation may be perfect for Council's longer term traffic plans for Yea though, so it's absolutely worth sharing your thoughts with us now," Cr Bowles said.
"To start gathering ideas and feedback on the concept design, Council will be holding a consultation session on Thursday 27 June for traders who operate businesses on and around High Street. This will be an opportunity for traders to learn more about how the works might affect them and share their ideas about what works they think the Project needs to include. If you're interested in attending this consultation session, contact Council on 5772 0333.
"Council will also be hosting an all-day drop-in session on 11 July at the Yea Library for the community to learn more about the Project and have their say on whether it meets the current and future safety needs of residents and visitors," Cr Bowles said.
