Annie’s Gifts owner Renee Roberts has not had any negative feedback about Warrnambool City Council moving the interchange to Lava Street.

“It’s more positive if anything,” Mrs Roberts said. “I’ve had people say they feel a lot safer walking past the shop now. Without the bus stops it’s easier for the traffic to flow. It’s a lot better in Lava Street because the road is wider and the traffic can still flow past but it’s a bit congested with the taxi rank there.”

The council is seeking comment about the bus interchange  which was moved from Koroit Street to Lava Street in 2017 while streetworks were completed. It is considering if the new location is a better option, calling for feedback before a decision is made. 

Franca’s Gary Francis who has had various retail businesses with wife Jan outside the former Koroit Street bus stop for more than 20 years said the move was positive. "There's easier access for customers,” he said. “People have commented that it's much easier to shop along that strip now without people congregating at bus pick up times. When you try and get buses through at busy times, such as 5.30pm, it became gridlocked with buses trying to get in and out and traffic trying to move through. It’s a lot lighter and a lot better.”

He said while the buses were an important service the new location was better because “it’s not really a commercial strip”.

Victoria Hotel owner Michael Foster said it didn’t affect him except for the lack of parking due to the bus stops and taxi rank. “It doesn’t worry me,” Mr Foster said. 

Comments on The Standard Facebook page called for improvements at Lava Street including bus shelters and toilets, better disability access and relocating the pedestrian crossing away from the bus stops to improve safety. 

Council’s city infrastructure director Scott Cavanagh said it would look at installing toilets and pedestrian crossing improvements. “All those aspects are important and will be considered if there is support for Lava Street as the location for the interchange,” he said. “The current arrangements are a temporary installation and further work would be required to formalise the arrangement.”

Users can give feedback about the Lava Street location by completing a survey online at yoursaywarrnambool.com.au. Other surveys will also be conducted at bus stops.

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