By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council will conduct a review of traffic and transport issues in Werribee’s CBD before developing an action plan to address “nightmare” congestion.
A report into the review and an action plan is expected to go to the council by September.
Mayor Mia Shaw put forward a motion at last week’s council meeting calling for the review. It was passed unanimously.
Cr Shaw said traffic congestion was “the No.1 issue facing our community”.
“This review will look at areas of concern and highlight roles and responsibilities with a view to developing an action plan with short, medium and long-term solutions required to improve traffic flow,” she said.
She said the review would also highlight traffic issues the council could advocate on.
Cr Shaw said traffic congestion in Werribee was “a nightmare during peak times”; that increasing numbers of trucks were using Synnot Street; and that there were not enough carparks at Werribee train station or elsewhere in the city centre.
She said that as more high-rise residential and commercial developments began in Werribee, action was needed.
“In my view, it would be irresponsible of us to continue down a path of encouraging increased activity without addressing the obvious traffic congestion and transport issues we are currently experiencing,” Cr Shaw said.
“I’m also concerned about increased traffic flow to other areas of the city, such as Duncans Road, with residents struggling to safely exit and access their properties … not to
mention the intersections of Duncans Road and Edgars Road, and Wattle Avenue, Tower Road and the Princes Highway requiring urgent attention.
“Access to the Riverside industrial precinct also needs to be looked at – it’s ridiculous that access to this area is via the city centre and residential roads that abut schools.”
Several other councillors spoke in support of Cr Shaw’s motion. Cr Peter Maynard said it would be important to consider other forms of transport, such as walking and cycling, when developing the action plan.
