By BEN CAMERON
PAKENHAM needs a strong business voice behind Cardinia Shire Council’s vision of a shared space for Main Street.
Former City of Greater Bendigo mayor and CBD trader Lisa Ruffell has urged the council to find a leading voice from local business to sell a key part of its Pakenham Structure Plan.
The Gazette revealed last month that the council could install a space shared for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists within 10 years.
The council confirmed it had drawn inspiration from City of Greater Bendigo’s $1.07m Walk Bendigo concept, which finished in 2009 with only two stages of a planned three completed.
“You have to sell it to the traders,” Cr Ruffell said.
“You need a trader to spruik it, or a family-orientated person, not somebody from council.
“It shouldn’t be council selling it. It was a great initiative but council didn’t sell it right.
“The council did not consult the traders. The traders feared a loss of income. They feared it would affect their livelihoods.”
Cr Ruffell said Walk Bendigo was hampered by a mall redevelopment at the same time, but would benefit from a fully functioning public transport system.
“You have to be mindful of other projects going on,” she said.
“It also needs a change of mindset from residents.”
A Transport Victoria report revealed Walk Bendigo was a response to various issues including significant through traffic and local traffic speeds being too high.
It sought to create an “intentionally ambiguous environment” by removing traffic controls, kerbs and formal crossings, use 90 degree parking, widen footpaths, narrow roads and install bluestone rumble pavement to mark entry to the shared area.
A third stage of the project was suspended due to a significant number of infrastructure projects in the CBD in a short period of time “which lead to negative community perceptions”.
It successfully reduced speed in the area “however the target speed of less than 20km/h has not been met”.
It also reported regular meetings were held with impacted landowners and businesses which “created understanding and acceptance of disruptions during the construction period”.
The Bendigo Weekly reported community backlash saw the council baulk at the further rollout of the strategy.
