By MICHELLE HERBISON
A REVIEW of central Geelong’s bus interchange should recommend relocation because loitering youths are deterring more business than buses have attracted, traders have told the Independent.
But regular bus users said the proposed relocation would be a waste of money, “only moving the problem somewhere else” away from the convenient Moorabool St location.
The traders and bus users were responding to an Independent report earlier this month that regional council alliance body G21’s new transport strategy would include feedback on the interchange location.
Bank of Melbourne branch manager Rocco Trinchera said he had written to council about the bus interchange’s impact on his business.
“Ever since it moved there our business has just eroded,” Mr Trinchera said.
Banjo’s Bakery Café manager Emerly Etheredge said rowdy loiterers deterred customers.
“We’re actually doing worse than we were before the bus shelters went in. We’re on the corner, so they’re at the door drinking alcohol and starting fights,” he said.
Mr Etheredge said fights were breaking out regularly outside his cafe.
“The Melbourne police have been coming down on random days about once a week and they’ve got so many people.”
Camera House manager Doug Ellis said incidences of anti-social behaviour since the interchange’s arrival included a teenager king-hitting an 80-year-old across the road from his store.
Mr Ellis said he wanted a stronger police presence or security guards with increased powers.
But he doubted that simply relocating the interchange would solve the public safety problem.
Sires Menswear manager Daryl Biviano supported an interchange relocation after opposing its constructon in front of his store.
“We didn’t want it in the first place. Visibility’s been lost due to the buses being in the main street and it detracts from shopping.”
Mr Biviano suggested converting Little Malop St’s mall into an interchange.
Bus passenger Lorraine Bignoux, 70, of Clifton Springs, said she preferred the interchange on Moorabool St than its previous location at Busport, in Brougham St.
“This is convenient because it’s close to Market Square. I feel safe because there are other people around.”
Another passenger thought the interchange actually enhanced Moorabool St.
“The bus stop is constructed in a good way. I don’t want it moved anymore because it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
MYKI ‘OUTAGES’ HIT BUSES – PAGE 13
