By BEN CAMERON
Beaconsfield traders say that changes under a proposed structure plan for the town would be dangerous for the town’s kinder kids.
The Beaconsfield Structure Plan, which will guide the town’s growth and development over the next 10 to 15 years, has also been described as “naive” by the town’s Traders and Owners Group in its official submission to Cardinia council.
In particular it was concerned at the proposal to remove an important path.
“The removal of the footpath from outside of the kindergarten and the shops would create problems for those accessing these facilities by foot,” the group’s submission read.
“The ‘shared zone’ is a dangerous concept when cars are involved; this area will be used by kinder children and would be extremely unsafe.”
While TOG said it supported the concept of improving the civic heart of the town, it said the plans were deeply flawed.
“We feel that the conceptual drawings as presented is a backwards step and would be detrimental to the community, businesses and the kindergarten which already exist on the site,” the submission read.
“It appears to be naive without any depth of analysis of the existing conditions and milieu; the impact on Beaconsfield and the changes as proposed will only impact unfavourably on the facilities which are already there.”
The group said the removal of 30 car parks leaving a reduced number of short term convenience parking spots would impact the kindergarten severely.
It also did not support the proposed removal of existing landmark gums within the memorial site.
“Kinder kids have to be accompanied in to the kinder and ‘signed in’ therefore this parking is not just a drop off point but ‘short term’ parking,” the submission read.
“The parking proposed is totally inadequate and will result in the private parking of the shops being used.
“Any further reduction will increase an already stressful situation.
“Patrons of the adjoining business also use these spaces, which are fully occupied on Saturdays, a non-kinder day.
“The relocation of the removal of the bus stop and shelter… will only compound the parking problem if the bus stop is relocated to further down Wood Street or the Old Princess Highway.”
The response added: “There is very little space to accommodate the concept of the ‘pop up’ shops and street stalls for limited periods which will have an impact on the area and car parking of the existing business stage.”
The council’s General Manager Planning and Development Phil Walton said the council would consider all submissions received.
“Where submissions are received that seek changes to an amendment, council decides if the amendment will be changed as requested and adopted, abandoned, or the submissions referred to an independent planning panel,” he said.
“Where submissions are referred to a planning panel, the panel provides a report and recommendations to council.
“Council then decides whether to adopt the amendment and whether the amendment is adopted with or without changes.”
The Beaconsfield Structure Plan was adopted by the council on 16 December last year, however a planning scheme amendment is being exhibited between Thursday 7 August and Tuesday 9 September.
