Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted the new Cape Paterson Local Area Traffic Management Plan.
The Plan was developed with significant input from the Cape Paterson community who, through a petition to Council, had expressed concerns for safety improvements needed in the Cape Paterson township which kick started the development of the Plan.
The Cape Paterson local area consists of many unsealed roads with development initially occurring before planning controls lifted the standard of infrastructure required. Streets have been developed in isolation and with township growth, there is a need for an area wide consideration of traffic management.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead praised the Cape Paterson community for their drive and participation in the process to get to the final Plan.
"During the first round of consultation in mid-2024 we had 392 responses to our survey highlighting pedestrian and cyclist safety and vehicle speeds within the township were the main concerns reported," Cr Halstead said.
"Once the draft Plan was developed we then had a further 193 submissions received and 66 people attending an in-person session with people clearly in support of the road safety improvements proposed."
"For a small town this is a really great result. It shows the care that Cape Paterson residents have for the safety of their neighbours, their neighbourhoods and the community spirit that lives there."
This strategic approach to traffic management and pedestrian safety is consistent with key actions with Council's Integrated Transport Strategy.
The final Plan recommends a range of treatments including:
- Reducing speed limits
- Installing traffic calming devices along streets
- Modifying intersections to slow vehicle speeds
- Installing better pedestrian and cyclist connectivity
All recommendations in this Plan are subject to external funding, but this Plan will be used to support applications for State and Federal road safety funding programs.
To read the Plan visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/plans
