Street ‘fatal mistake’

Kim Waters
CLOSURE of a Point Lonsdale street could be a fatal mistake in summer, fire authorities have warned.
Queenscliff fire brigade captain David Hume said the closure would leave residents and tourists in danger if they became trapped in Alexander Crescent among thick smoke.
“The Country Fire Authority (CFA) does not support this road closure as it’s in an area that could be severely impacted by wildfire,” Mr Hume said.
“Any road closure in an emergency situation, especially with so many holiday makers, could result in panic.
“It’s a smoky environment with the amount of vegetation there and when people are confronted by a barrier in an emergency situation it will cause a lot of anxiety.”
Residents campaigned for the trial closure of Alexander Crescent, fearing its popularity as a back beach shortcut made the road unsafe for children.
Borough of Queenscliffe council initiated the six-month trial late last year but extended it until July after receiving submissions against a proposal to make the closure permanent.
Mr Hume said he had received “numerous personal calls” from concerned residents who wanted Alexander Crescent to remain open.
“I sympathise with residents who believe the street is too busy for their kids to play on with people using it as a shortcut to the back beach but measures have been put in place to slow down the cars there,” he said.
Council last year narrowed the street with concrete chicanes along the sides of the road in a bid to force vehicles to travel slower, Mr Hume said.
But residents believed traffic was still too fast and insisted the road should remain closed after the trial.
A borough spokesperson said councillors would review a CFA statement and submissions against the proposal at next week’s meeting.
“Concerns were raised by the CFA regarding fire truck access during summer,” the spokesperson said.
“I don’t know what the council’s reasons were for deferring the issues but it may have had something to do with the CFA concerns.”
The spokesperson admitted the road closure was a fire safety risk.
“Once there is a road closure people can park their cars across the (point of closure). If you have a whole lot of cars there a fire truck can’t get through and, well, it’s game over.”