RESIDENTS have failed to stop Bendigo councillors throwing their weight behind a permanent road closure in Havlin Street East.
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But the councillors say their decision is not the final word on the matter, with plenty more public debate on the contentious proposal.
The proposal is part of a new master plan for the Wolstencroft Reserve, which the community has long wanted turned into a park and play space.
More than thirty people living next to the reserve fear access to their properties will become more difficult if a section of the Flora Hill road is closed between between Rodney Street and 65 Havlin Street East.
They argue traffic flow around the reserve is already restricted. Wolstencroft Street is closed and people can only turn left off of Hallam Street onto Carpenter Street.
"It is reasonable to assume the improved amenity (at the reserve) will increase all types of traffic to the reserve," the residents wrote.
"It seems counter-intuitive to further restrict access to respond to increasing traffic flows. Street closures will further restrict access for emergency vehicles and for people of limited mobility, like the frail, aged and people with physical disabilities."
Story continues below Havlin Street East options:
Traffic calming options recently put to the public included a proposed car park and raised pedestrian and cycling crossings.
Community consultations found strong support for closure, with 114 of 185 submissions backing calls to naturalise the nearby Bendigo Creek and make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists using the reserve.
That support prompted councillors to propose a closure at Wednesday night's City of Greater Bendigo council meeting.
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Councillor Susie Hawke said the last thing she wanted to see was further delays to the Wolstencroft Reserve project, which has been on the agenda for roughly a decade.
"In saying that, though, there's been a lot of contention about the road closure and we've heard tonight ... from a large number of residents," she said as she introduced the motion proposing the closure.
"I hear your concerns and I acknowledge ... that a road closure may impact you. But the community consultation clearly showed that at the time the road closure was the community's preferred option. Hence it's what's put forward in the master plan.
"The thing to remember though is that there is still a whole other process that needs to happen before the road is actually closed."
She encouraged people who voiced concerns about road closures not to give up having their say.
The residents "greatly appreciate" the council's efforts to improve the reserve and believe the master plan will make the area a nicer place to live, they said in their letter.