Wonthaggi’s parking must be preserved, say traders

A NEW team and fresh look at Wonthaggi’s future has been welcomed by some residents and stakeholders, as Bass Coast Shire set up at Apex Park last week.

“It’s been busy all morning with people who are very passionate about this town and have grown up down here,” Bass Coast Shire Senior Major Projects officer, Hannah Eisen said.

“One individual was concerned the old master plan was going to be rehashed, so we’ve highlighted that this is a project reset and we’ve taken on board the car parking issues, that people want native trees in the master plan, bike racks and mobility lanes, and security for people when they go to the theatre, knowing they can return to their car safely.

“People have been happy that we’re going to be looking at the small wins over the next 18 months and then staging it, so it’s not too much disruption to traders.”

The team have also addressed concerns regarding larger vehicles that could be detoured in the future to ensure they can still access businesses for deliveries in Wonthaggi.

Key stakeholder feedback included the total number of parking bays, which has since been increased, large vehicle turning radius, 15-minute parking bays and drinking water stations to name but a few.

The greatest changes, as part of the Wonthaggi Activity Streetscape, are along Graham Street.

“I’m a greenie, but it’s not a place for habitat for beautification purposes,” Barb from A Garden of Thoughts noted.

“Losing parking to mature trees that are only suitable for parrots is not the solution – the same beautification can be achieved with planter boxes. There are plenty of places mature trees can be placed around town including Fincher Street Park. It’s not an animal thoroughfare.

“Our car parking is not up for negotiation. We have a growing aged population and are marketed as a retirement destination – parking is a necessity to the senior community. There are better ways without reducing parking. 

“We do however, need a solution for more two-hour parking – for people that catch up for a coffee, meander into shops and wander down the street.”

Around the corner, McBride Avenue stakeholders are glad their concerns have been heard and addressed in the most recent plans, after previously tabled plans would have been detrimental to local businesses.

“One of the men from Council who has been working with trees for 20 years, came down and we discussed having a separate workshop for tree specification – making sure we are not creating more work and the specifications are the right one,” Hannah continued in reference to previously drafted Jacarandas for the main street by Hansen.

One local man The Sentinel Times spoke with was positive towards the changes, “it will look good. It will be good to come down the street and dine out.”

Community engagement closes on Wednesday March 8 with residents and stakeholders urged to have their say by visiting engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au