Residents’ street ‘win’

KIM WATERS
Objectors have triumphed over council plans to permanently close a popular Point Lonsdale road, according to their spokepserson.
Angus McDonald said he was “very pleased” Borough of Queenscliffe’s council had finally voted to keep Alexander Crescent open after a “year-long saga”.
Council had deferred voting on the controversial closure twice since temporarily blocking the residential street a year ago.
“People are happy, there’s no question about that,” Mr McDonald said.
“There’s a general relief in the surrounding streets that has lifted us out of the gloom and negativity.”
Mr McDonald said council’s new plan to “beautify” existing chicanes on the popular shortcut to the beach was a big change to the proposal for a permanent road closure.
“They’ve retreated a long way from their initial gung-ho attack on the street.
“A council survey about whether residents in the street were in favour of the closure was really a mixed bag. The support we’ve had against the closure has really helped make sure council didn’t slide the plan through without anyone knowing about it.”
Mr McDonald said council initially proposed the closure after “a few” residents complained their children were unable to play safely on the street in summer.
“But a lot of other people who live on the street say a permanent closure would be a loss of amenity,” he said.
“Residents said the road gets really busy and dangerous but there has never been an accident, so really council was responding to a few people who wanted their kids to be able to play cricket in the street during summer.”
The proposed closure also failed to earn the support of Queenscliff fire brigade captain David Hume, who said it could be a “fatal mistake” during the fire-danger season.
A council document recommended “interim measures to repair and beautify the existing chicane” in Alexander Crescent.
Council adopted the recommendation last week but left the option open for future road closures in the borough.
“The completion of the Point Lonsdale pedestrian and road safety strategy will provide council with a clear direction to enable a considered and consistent approach to road safety across Point Lonsdale as a whole,” the document said.