One of Bendigo’s busiest intersections could be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly town square if a council plan to reclaim public space goes ahead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The City of Greater Bendigo released on Monday a draft plan outlining its 50-year-long vision for the region’s public spaces.
A cornerstone of the document is a proposal to turn Charing Cross into a “true public space heart”, with conceptual designs suggesting large sections of Pall Mall road could be converted into public gathering places.
“The essence of a public square as a public meeting place has largely been lost; however can be restored,” the plan read, recalling the early 20th century when people, trams and hose-drawn carriages all shared the space.
City of Greater Bendigo strategy manager Trevor Budge said Charing Cross said efforts to improve traffic flow throughout parts of Bendigo, including Pall Mall, had gone “too far”, and left sections of public space “unusable”.
“We've got this major public space corridor that we've made quite hard for people to cross,” he said.
Long waits at Charing Cross pedestrian crossings frustrated those who used the space and inconvenienced those with physical disabilities who were unable to cross the street before lights changed, Mr Budge said.
Asked about the plan’s potential impact on traffic, the strategy manager admitted pedestrian space could not be increased without narrowing roads, but said those wanting to bypass the CBD could use the “Bendigo box”, the series of roads that ring the city.
Occasions like Anzac Day were proof the space could be reclaimed for public use, Mr Budge said, and taking away traffic would make it a safer and quieter precinct.
VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said he was aware of the City of Greater Bendigo’s long term vision to change parts of Charing Cross into pedestrian space.
It was a plan that would require significant changes to existing infrastructure, he said.
“Any changes would require a whole of government approach to the design and importantly, engagement with the business, tourism, transport and residential communities, to fully understand the impacts.”
But business owners on the central Bendigo intersection remained skeptical on Monday about the plan’s future, saying there had been talk of revamping the space outside their shopfronts for years.
FroCreations owner Doug Clarkson, whose ice cream shop is located near the corner of Pall Mall and Mitchell Street, said making the area less accessible by car would have a negative impact on his business; he relied on passing traffic for sales.
“Bendigo has been and will continue for some years to come a community with a general expectation of being able to ‘park at the door’,” Mr Clarkson said.
“If this were to happen tomorrow I would be up in arms.”
He did, however, believe a new-look Charing Cross could encourage foot traffic and provide space for outdoor dining.
Another nearby business owner, who asked not to be named, worried about the impact future construction could wreak on his business.
He and other members of the public will be able to provide feedback directly to project planners at several listening posts throughout the city between now and February 11.
The first is set for 10.30am this Thursday outside Fairley’s IGA in Eaglehawk.
Community sentiment is also being gauged via an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YLPN39R.
The Charing Cross proposal is just one of several recommendations about how Bendigo space could be better used.
A trail joining all of central Bendigo’s forests is also being put forward, as is using the Bendigo Creek to connect towns throughout the municipality.
The plan would also commit the city to the preserving historical features in public spaces, including “European-style” tree plantings and building materials.