Council has given the go-ahead for community consultation to begin on a proposal that would restrict vehicles on Little Malop Street, between James Street and Moorabool Street, during peak pedestrian times.
A number of local traders have asked the City of Greater Geelong to remove vehicle access, in order to make the area more inviting for alfresco dining and reduce unsafe driver behaviour in the laneway.
The proposal would see four automatic-rising bollards in Little Malop Street, between James Street and Dennys Place and between Shorts Place and Moorabool Street.
These bollards would mean most vehicles would be banned from the area for 20 hours of the day, between 8:00am and 4:00am. Outside of these times, vehicles would have unrestricted access.
Certain groups including residents and emergency services, would be able to access the space during restricted access times in three ways – automatic timer, key card and pin code.
Council anticipates delivery drivers could be impacted by these proposed changes. Businesses would be encouraged to use alternative loading zones or receive deliveries between 4:00am and 8:00am where possible.
Private parking may also be affected and City Hall is open to discussing alternative access points to the area.
This proposal involves the removal of some disabled parking in Shorts Place. Alternative disabled parking within 100 metres would be considered and the Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee will be consulted. Up to seven short-term parking spaces would also need to be removed, with most of them in Shorts Place south, to prevent private cars getting stuck in the space.
The project is estimated to cost around $117,000 with ongoing maintenance and operating costs expected to be $5,000 per year.
VicRoads has provided in-principle support.
Traders, residents, delivery drivers and members of the public can have their say on the proposal until 1 May 2019.
Councillor Bruce Harwood - Mayor
Geelong is a world-class city and council is committed to finding 'Clever and Creative' ways to draw more people to our unique laneways and improve pedestrian safety.
Melbourne's Degraves Street and Centre Place, as well as areas in Barcelona, are great examples of successful laneways and streets that are blocked off to traffic. These areas prioritise people over cars and create a vibrant, accessible area.
We're interested to see whether the community thinks a similar concept here in our laneways could have positive impacts.
I encourage all who use this vibrant area of the CBD to have their say.
Councillor Trent Sullivan - Deputy Chair, Economic Development Portfolio
Council supports the investigation of opportunities for Little Malop Street traders that would increase patronage and improve the overall atmosphere of the laneway.
I'm looking forward to hearing from the community on whether they think this proposal would have positive economic benefit and increase pedestrian safety.
I believe this public consultation is a step in the right direction in further activating the beloved laneway and the CBD in general.
