RESIDENTS of a Warrnambool retirement home have petitioned the city council for a pedestrian crossing in Koroit Street so they can safely walk to a bakery.
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Their request will be debated tonight by councillors who will also consider an officer’s report that an official crossing would cost between $95,000 and $240,000 depending on the advice from VicRoads.
A recommendation has been put to the meeting to add the request to the list of pedestrian priority works in the city centre and be considered in the 2014-15 budget.
“While the site meets minimum VicRoads requirements for establishment of a pedestrian crossing so would many other locations in the city centre,” the officer’s report says.
“Council needs to consider its long-term strategy for improving pedestrian facilities.
“Doing works at this site now will potentially divert much-needed capital away from other locations that have already been identified as being our city centre’s priorities.” Heatherlie Homes executive officers Lyn Burns and Kathy Snell said the petition was signed by 294 people, including residents of Heatherlie and the wider community.
They first wrote to the council in January appealing for installation of a Koroit Street crossing midway between Liebig and Banyan streets to protect residents as they crossed to Brown’s Depot Bakery.
Councillors will also consider another petition signed by 39 people opposing a horse training business in Ponting Drive. The operators have applied for a planning permit to continue using the site for animal husbandry.
Other topics on tonight’s agenda include a proposal by Bojangles Pizza Restaurant to operate a mobile food van in front of Seanchi Irish Pub during the May Racing Carnival, further refusal for a proposed 16-lot subdivision at Eccles Street, an energy-efficient street lighting project and notices of motions on the saleyards issue.
The meeting starts at 5.45pm and includes a public question time.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au.