The council has put the proposal out for public comment, with submissions closing on August 7. The proposal would see the bollards erected to stop cars driving between Barclay Street and the eastern section of Church Street, while still allowing pedestrian access.

Under the plan, the eastern section of Church Street would become a “no through road” and the western section will remain connected to Barclay Street.

Church Street surrounds St John’s Anglican Church on three sides, but the proposed change would stop cars from being able to drive all the way around the church.

The purpose of the permanent closure would be to improve drainage and restrict the amount of cars moving through the area, according to the agenda from last month’s council meeting.

A report to council highlighted “ongoing drainage issues in the area”.

“The works will … serve to protect private housing and restrict traffic movement in a congested area (and) it is also likely that a decrease in traffic will lead to a decrease in maintenance requirements on the portion of Church Street that is unsealed,” the report reads.

The proposed partial permanent road closure follows discussions with local owners and occupiers in Barclay and Church streets two years ago, with suggestions including road closures, one-way traffic, parking options, drainage works, and tree planting.

Moyne Shire had hoped to receive streetscape funding for the project but was unsuccessful and the state government indicated such funding would be “highly unlikely in the future”.