Traders see red

By Melissa Donchi
HEALESVILLE residents are disappointed they were not given more opportunity to respond to a proposal from VicRoads that would see a new set of traffic lights at the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Don Road.
Residents received a letter dated 28 March on 5 April, one day before the Easter holidays began, and were asked to return their attached feedback forms on 10 April, one day after the Easter holidays finished.
VicRoads developed the proposal with the Shire of Yarra Ranges in order to make safety and operational improvements at the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Don Road after seven casualty crashes were recorded between July 2001 and June 2006.
They hope a new set of traffic lights at this intersection will provide more safety for drivers and pedestrians and say the proposal will result in ‘minimal inconvenience to residents and proprietors’.
But residents are saying they should have been consulted to discuss the finer details which include extending the kerbing on the south approach of the Maroondah Highway resulting in the loss of five car parking spaces.
Angela Hagiauis owns a takeaway shop and says the lack of car parking spaces is already a problem.
“People who need easy access to our shops are not going to park their car a million miles away and walk back, they’re going to just turn around and drive back to the main street,” Ms Hagiauis said.
“The shire needs to support East End businesses not run them out of business.”
While four new parking spaces will be allocated on the south side of the Maroondah Highway as well as a formal pedestrian crossing closer to the shops, some residents say this will just slow the traffic down.
“In the space of one kilometre we’re going to have three sets of traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing,” Healesville resident Ken Glenn said.
“How is the traffic going to move when it’s being stopped every five seconds.”
Local lobbyist Kersten Gentle says she is disgusted by the lack of effort VicRoads has made in consulting with residents.
“I can’t see why VicRoads can’t hold a meeting with us to at least hold a discussion on these issues,” Ms Gentle said.
“This is a significant proposal that has been swept through during the Easter holiday period with minimal consultation,” Ms Gentle said.
“We at least deserve a meeting to discuss the impact these traffic changes will have on our local businesses.”
However, Seymour MP Ben Hardman said it was a good sign that VicRoads was willing to engage with the community on the proposal and encouraged people to give feedback.
“Anyone who feels they are affected by this proposal should contact VicRoads so we can get an outcome that’s in the best interests of the community,” Mr Hardman said.
Meanwhile, VicRoads has agreed to extend the feedback deadline to 20 April but residents are still calling for a public meeting.