Warrnambool’s temporary bus interchange in Lava Street could become its permanent home but the city council first wants community feedback on the idea before any decision is made.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The interchange was moved from Koroit Street to Lava Street, outside Centrelink, when the Liebig Street redevelopment got under way in October 2017.
The council’s city infrastructure director Scott Cavanagh said that while the intention was to bring the buses back to Koroit Street when roadworks were finished, the council was now considering if the new location was a better option.
In October last year, the council decided that designs for the upgrade of Koroit Street should be done without including a bus interchange. The Koroit Street project is expected to start at the end of the year.
The council is now calling on users to let the council know what it thinks of the Lava Street location by completing a survey online at www.yoursaywarrnambool.com.au. Other surveys would be also conducted at bus stops.
Mr Cavanagh said that, anecdotally, some people were in favour of keeping the interchange in Lava Street.
“Now it’s time to canvas the entire community, including public transport users, bus line operators and CBD businesses, to see what they think,” he said.
He said no definitive decision had been made about the future location of the interchange, but council had expressed a strong preference for it not to return to its old location.
In 2013, some Koroit Street traders called for the bus interchange to be moved citing safety concerns with youths congregating outside their stores and causing trouble.
Mr Cavanagh said that there were also concerns about diesel fumes from idling buses.
“There were certainly a number of complaints,” he said.
Mr Cavanagh said the council had been in discussions with Warrnambool Bus Lines and the Department of Transport about other options.
“It's certainly a difficult issue, but one that we need to address and get some resolution on.”
