Dividing lines

By Casey Neill
LINES in a shopping centre car park have divided Knox councillors and sparked heated debate.
Baird Ward councillor Peter Cole last Tuesday (25 August) moved that road lines in Dorset Square car park aisles allow traffic flow in one direction only.
His call followed a Dorset Square Traders Association customer survey that found 95 per cent (896) preferred a return to one-way aisles.
Just 51 called for the current two-way situation to remain.
Cr Cole said car park aisles had operated in both directions for the past 12 months during a precinct redevelopment.
“They’ve tried it, and customers don’t like it,” he said.
He said traders were concerned about traffic chaos during the approaching Christmas shopping period.
“We really need to act and we need to act now,” he said.
Pharmacy staff member Gai Williams presented the survey to Dorset Square shoppers during a 10-day period.
“If our customers said they wanted it two-way, we would have accepted that,” she said.
“We listen to our customers. We want whatever is easiest for them.”
Ms Williams said the push for one-way aisles was about safety and ease backing out, particularly for elderly drivers.
“We’re aware of the median age of people who shop with us,” she said.
“When they shop they want to feel safe and secure. It’s just a nightmare.”
City Development director Angelo Kourambas said the car park was designed two years ago during the Boronia Structure Plan.
Mr Kourambas said the council sought independent advice on the best options for the space before presenting the design for community consultation.
He said feedback indicated the change had caused some confusion, but noted the car park remained a construction site.
“There will be confusion no matter what you do,” he said.
Cr Mick Van de Vreede called for a report consulting experts and the public. “I feel there’s a step missing,” he said. “I want to make a decision based on reasonable information.”
Cr Adam Gill also supported a report seeking professional advice.
“I think we should follow some sort of process,” he said.
Mayor David Cooper said the two-way design was planned ‘for years now’.
“The experts are telling us it would be better,” he said.
Cr Cooper called for a planned ‘trial run’ with two lanes and a subsequent evaluation. “That’s good governance. This is not,” he said.
But Cr John Mortimore said the Dorset Square car park was different to others.
He said customers parked for a short time, creating more traffic movements, and shoppers were in an older demographic.
Cr Mortimore joined Crs Cole, Walter and Cossari in supporting the motion.
Crs Cooper, Van de Vreede and Gill voted against.