By Kyra Gillespie
Petitioners have been denied a pedestrian crossing at Windermere Boulevard, being told by council that there are other crossings of “higher priority” in the municipality.
The decision announced at the May 21 council meeting came as a hard blow to residents, who are left with no choice but to continue battling traffic on the busy thoroughfare.
Earlier this year David Roberts spearheaded the petition for the zebra crossing to be included in the 2018-’19 budget, garnering over 6000 signatures and over 80 letters backing the request.
The request was denied by council, who say the notorious road did not make the cut to council’s top ten pedestrian crossing priority.
A zebra crossing requires VicRoads authorisation and 60 plus pedestrian crossings in any peak period.
According to a council pedestrian count, the proposed crossing currently averages 16 pedestrians crossing per hour and a peak of 28, ranking it outside their priority list.
The decision raised more questions than answers, with almost 8000 vehicles using the road per day and Pakenham’s newest primary school due to open for the 2019 school year.
“With increasing traffic and the new primary school opening in 2019 I don’t believe we should have to wait years for this crossing to be constructed,” petition leader David Roberts said.
“It wasn’t clear when the council did their pedestrian count – what time of day did they do it? Did the factor in the busiest times?
“They said they had a list of 16 crossings and that Windermere Boulevard is not in the top ten. I’d like to know what the other 15 crossings are.”
The Cardinia Lakes Residents Group labelled the decision as “concerning.”
“It’s concerning that council haven’t got a vision for the future,” Cardinia Lakes Residents Group Secretary Genevieve Shallard said.
“When you know there’s going to be a school in the area very shortly you don’t wait until something bad happens to make it safe.
“What’s the point in council the number of pedestrians before the school is built? Council has to look ahead because there will be so many families and school children needing to cross.
“There will be lots more activity going on. Let’s get something in place now before someone gets hurt.”
Ms Shallard also pointed out that the new wine shop and bakery adjacent to the Coles at Cardinia Lakes is already bringing more people crossing the road.
A wombat-style zebra crossing is estimated to cost $190,000.
Council say the installation of a school crossing, estimated to cost $45,000 can be facilitated within the 2018-’19 capital works if required.
