Fire chief urges ‘common sense’ over risky street closure

Kim Waters
A FIRE captain has urged Borough of Queenscliff to show “common sense” after again deferring a decision on a controversial closure of a Point Lonsdale street.
Last week councillors for a second time deferred their vote on whether the temporary closure of Alexander Crescent should be permanent.
Council received 28 submissions and a petition with 44 signatures against a permanent closure.
Queenscliff fire brigade captain David Hume told the Independent closing the street could be a fatal mistake during bushfire season.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) had hoped council would reopen the road at last week’s meeting, he said.
Council last year narrowed the road with concrete chicanes along the sides in a bid to force vehicles to slow down. But Mr Hume said residents were arguing traffic was still too fast and insisted on the permanent closure.
“At the end of the day we’ve elected council to make a decision on the evidence provided and I really hope that common sense prevails,” he said.
A council traffic survey in January found that traffic volume on the street was “normal” and “no evidence” supporting works to reduce speeding. A later survey found the road closure had “little effect” on reducing speed but had reduced traffic “significantly”.
Minutes from last week’s council meeting noted “a closure of Alexander Crescent would require traffic to head west and travel toward oncoming fire, potentially trapping vehicles”.
“It is therefore an unacceptable risk to prevent or restrict emergency access and egress through the east end of Alexander Crescent as this is the most likely required direction of travel in evacuation”.