Nillumbik's $5 million Eltham Urban Congestion Fund project has been given the green light, with works set to start in March.
The project, which was endorsed by Council last week, has undergone a number of modifications and improvements to address issues identified during community consultation in which almost 900 contributions were received.
Funded through the Federal Government's Urban Congestion Fund, the project includes a range of traffic and transport initiatives to make the Eltham Activity Centre more pedestrian friendly and connected, while reducing congestion in the area.
Key outcomes from last week's meeting include:
- Abandoning plans for a 24/7 40kmh Main Road speed limit
- Introducing a 40kmh speed limit on local roads Bible Street (Cecil to Taylor streets), Cecil Street, Pryor Street, Arthur Street (to Bible Street), Taylor Street, Commercial Place and Panther Place
- Adopting the underground powerline option for the new Main Road shared-use path
- Abandoning the proposal to make Cecil Street entry only from Main Road
- Retaining the tree in the median strip of Main Road as well as the median break arrangement for the bus terminal signals
- Retaining the roundabout at the intersection of Bible and Arthur streets and installing zebra crossings
- Abandoning plans for a raised platform intersection at Bible and Cecil streets
- Adopting plans for car parking on the western side of Bible Street only.
In addition, Council will initiate discussions with St Vincent's Health and VicTrack regarding a longer-term option for the "missing link" of the Diamond Creek Trail.
Mayor Peter Perkins commended the community consultation for the project.
"This has been a great process with 229 individual submitters with a total of almost 900 contributions. We received lots of feedback and many amendments have been made to the plan as a result of that consultation," Cr Perkins said.
Wingrove Ward Councillor Geoff Paine thanked the community for their feedback.
"It's been a great example of community consultation. The proposals have been modified, amended or, in fact, abandoned in some cases, and many major changes made," Cr Paine said.
Full details of the project, including the adopted modifications, can be found at Council's Participate Nillumbik website.
