Council to seek ‘help’ with bus interchange

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG’S council wants Department of Human Services help with “anti-social” activity around Moorabool St’s bus interchange, according to a councillor.
Andy Richards, who holds council’s transport portfolio, said City Hall would write to the department asking for officers to “help out”.
“We’ll also write to Victoria Police requesting additional foot patrols in central Geelong,” he said.
“We’re looking for the State Government to step up to the plate on these issues.
“We want them to support a rostered police presence at the interchange, more DHS officers to help out and the Department of Transport to further improve public transport infrastructure.
“Council does not want to just move the problem that exists around some young people’s use of the area to another part of Geelong. It’s important that both extra police and youth officers are part of the solution.”
The plan follows a council review of the interchange, which found that it helped increase bus patronage 19 per cent.
The review identified significant pedestrian increases in surrounding streets along with strong support for the interchange’s location.
Cr Richards said the review also highlighted “concerns”, including congestion and bad behaviour.
“Anti-social behavior by some individuals is having a negative impact, there’s a need to improve the level of amenity for bus patrons and smoking in and around the bus interchange needs addressing.
“We’ll be taking these issues up with the relevant authorities and the State Government as a matter of priority.”
Cr Richard said council would provide smoke-free zones around the bus interchange.
The City would ask Department of Transport for continued safety officer patrols, cleaning services around the interchange and improved signage and information on bus times and routes.