Traffic study in a jam

By Casey Neill
A BELGRAVE traffic feasibility study is still no closer as confusion reigns over the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ eligibility for funding.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood recently criticised the State Government for failing to deliver $125,000 in funding for a traffic study pledged 18 months ago.
“Residents of Belgrave and surrounding suburbs are still waiting for their feasibility study to combat the traffic issues through the township,” he said.
During the 2006 state election campaign, the Belgrave Traders Association (BTA) proposed a feasibility study to address links to Puffing Billy, pedestrian safety, public transport, town planning and parking and traffic flow.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges set aside $125,000 in its 2007-08 budget for the feasibility study and applied to the State Government for dollar-for-dollar funding.
Monbulk MP James Merlino and Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato had announced just days earlier that a re-elected Bracks Government would match the shire’s commitment.
But Shire spokesman James Martin said the application for funding under the Creating Better Places program was unsuccessful because Belgrave was not considered a major activity centre, one of the funding criteria.
“The council has, however, put aside funding to re-examine the existing structure plan for Belgrave,” he said.
Mr Martin said the structure plan had been used to guide more than $2.28 million worth of township improvement works over the past five years to revitalise the main town area.
“The council expects the work on the structure plan to focus on pedestrian and traffic movement in the town,” he said.
A spokeswoman for State Government Planning Minister Justin Madden said the shire had been asked to resubmit its funding application. “We expect that they will do this in round four of Creating Better Places program, open now,” she said.
But Mr Martin said the shire had no plans to do so.
“We see no point in reapplying as, once again, the program criteria specify this is for major activity centres or higher,” he said.
The spokeswoman said the department would discuss funding options with the shire.
“The department will help council as much as possible in identifying possible funding sources and supporting this application,” she said.