Plaza plan pounded

PLANS to develop a pedestrian plaza in Green Street Healesville came under fire from two residents at the Yarra Ranges Council meeting last week.
Newgrove Road resident Marie Ormonde described plans to close off the west side of Green Street as “crazy mad”, saying local residents would be disadvantaged when trying to cross Nicholson Street (Maroondah Highway) to get to the north of the township.
The closure of the north-bound section of Green Street is proposed in conjunction with the redevelopment of the public toilets and requires the erection of a permanent barrier on the road reserve around the plaza.
The council sought to erect the barrier as a first step in the project.
William Orange, also from Newgrove Road, called for a trial barrier and traffic studies before any permanent closure of the road.
“I am concerned about how the fact that the (officers’) report gives no indication of how traffic will circulate when a barrier is in place.
“The plans don’t show how travellers will access the toilets. I think a trial would be a wiser course of action,” he said.
Mrs Ormonde said the ability to travel through, using the traffic lights, was critical to anyone who lived on the south side of Maroondah Highway.
“If anyone has been in Healesville on a weekend with the unending incoming stream of traffic, if you have to turn left, then right across that line to get to Chum Creek or Yarra Glen, they would know it’s virtually impossible.”
Mrs Ormonde also called for more consultation, saying she was unaware of the proposal until very recently and a poll of friends and neighbours revealed a similar response.
The council, however, says extensive consultation has taken place.
James Martin, the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ communications manager, said members of the shire’s urban design team had met with local schools and that shire staff had visited all shop and restaurant owners with pamphlets.
These had also been distributed at the local library and the Community Link, where a model of the proposed project was on display.
Mr Martin said advertisements and the shire’s Community Update went in local newspapers and large banners were placed on both the toilet block and the Memorial Hall advertising the community information session in June.
The CFA and VicRoads were also consulted.
After some discussion, an alternative motion put forward by Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae was passed, making the erection of a barrier subject to planning approval for the pedestrian plaza.
“The issues raised here can be more properly addressed through the planning process,” Cr McRae said.