BENDIGO council will advise the lead petitioner for traffic controls at an Epsom KFC development of its response to their concerns, after a petition drew 192 signatures.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors voted in-line with staff recommendations advise the lead petitioner and the Department of Transport of the report, in response to the petition.
The fast-food development approved for the busy intersection has raised fears it will worsen already busy traffic, from business owners and community members.
Related content:
The petition asked the public whether conditions around traffic should be attached to the approval of a KFC development planned for the intersection of Howard Street and the Midland Highway, approved in December
A council officer's response to the petition said the city could not impose conditions on a planning permit that did not relate specifically to the site in question.
It stated the application had been referred to the Department of Transport as part of the planning process, which did not indicate delaying the proposal until upgrades to the intersection would be necessary.
Councillor Andrea Metcalf said she was aware of the intersection's shortcomings, as a resident of the area and frequent user of those roads.
But Cr Metcalf said the City of Greater Bendigo could not impose conditions on a planning permit that did not specifically apply to the site in question.
She pointed to a discussion with Regional Roads Victoria outlined in the City of Greater Bendigo's December meeting minutes, in which RRV acknowledged it would need to upgrade the intersection's capacity.
The response quoted in the City of Greater Bendigo's December meeting minutes said RRV did not have final completed plans for the upgraded intersection.
But RRV recommended the applicant set aside certain parts of the land for future acquisition.
Cr Metcalf said most concerns raised with her related to the need for a left turn lane from the west side of Howard Street to the Midland Highway.
She said the timing of upgrades of the intersection was at the discretion of the Department of Transport.
Cr Metcalf moved council receive the petition and advise the lead petitioner of the response, as outlined in the report, and forward a copy of the report to the Department of Transport.
Cr Metcalf was the only councillor to speak to the agenda item, which was seconded by Councillor Greg Penna.
The Department of Transport is the authority responsible for the intersection.
Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
