Construction of the second stage of the Killarney streetscape works will commence in November, though it's looking like the pedestrian crossing that forms a centrepiece of the development, might not be included for one simple reason.

The residents don't want it.

Actually, the concept of a typical pedestrian crossing was ruled out by Main Roads, however an alternative 'pedestrian refuge' arrangement was being considered by Council, to be placed outside the newsagency.

The refuge arrangement essentially consists of some barriers on each side of the road, then a change in colouration or line markings to identify that section of road.

Cars still have the right of way, but a refuge provides ramps over the kerb for wheelchair access and means pedestrians don't have to weave through parked cars when crossing the road.

The problem is, that it would consume at least two car parks on either side of the road, right in the centre of town.

As Cr Dan Noble pointed out, in his view, "it's really to provide a ramped access, rather than trying to push a pram between parked cars and up one side (of the kerb)." The Killarney Area Progress Association (KAPA) has endorsed letters to Council from businesses adjacent to the proposed location, objecting to the removal of the car parks and the impacts this would have on businesses.

In any case, Council has now postponed making a decision, instead waiting for more feedback during public meetings to be held in Killarney.

Cr Cec Watts said "the feedback I've got from the Killarney people, is they don't see the need for it. Maybe down the track, but at the moment, if we put it in, they're not going to use it."

This was also discussed in the Technical Services Committee Meeting on Tuesday,18 September 2007. A motion was carried NOT to proceed with a pedestrian crossing at this stage.

5.7 Killarney Streetscape Stage 2 - Location of the Proposed Pedestrian Crossing in

Willow Street, Killarney

Recommendation

THAT the report of the Manager Design and Assets dated 10 September 2007 in relation to

Killarney Streetscape Stage 2 - Location of the Proposed Pedestrian Crossing in Willow

Street, Killarney be received and that Council not proceed with installation of a pedestrian

crossing at this time.

Motion

Seconded Cr D Cutmore.

Moved Cr C Farrell

Carried

5.7 Killarney Streetscape Stage 2 - Location of the Proposed Pedestrian Crossing in

Willow Street, Killarney

Document Information

Report To: Technical Services Committee

Reporting Officer: Meeting Date: 18 September 2007

Hannes Bezuidenhout

File Ref: 2.03.06

Manager Design and Assets

Summary/Purpose

This report serves to refer the matter of the location of the proposed pedestrian for the

Killarney Streetscape works to Council for consideration and resolution.

Background Information

At Council’s General Meeting of 23 February 2005 it was resolved to proceed with the

Killarney Streetscape works where after Council’s design staff developed a conceptual

proposal plan of the proposed streetscape works. During development of the proposal plan

a site inspection was held with the Mayor and Council’s Director Technical Services. During

the site visit the location of a pedestrian crossing was discussed and suitable locations for

the crossing investigated. It was generally agreed that the best location for the pedestrian

crossing would be in front of the newsagency and medical centre.

Following this meeting Council’s Technical Services department prepared a more detailed

concept plan, which was presented to business operators, KAPA and the community at a

public meeting on 8 March 2005. During this meeting a number of issues, as detailed in the

report tabled at the Council’s General Meeting of 27 July 2005, were discussed. One of the

issues, which proved to be more contentious than was expected, was the location of the

proposed pedestrian crossing. In particular the owner/s of the newsagency expressed their

concerns about the location of the proposed crossing at this meeting. During the meeting it

was clear that no consensus would be reached about the need for, and location of the

pedestrian crossing. During the meeting the Mayor made it clear that the decision ultimately

lies with Council and that Council will have to make a decision that would be in the best

interest of public safety and benefit of the wider community. Following this meeting Council

received two letters, which brought up the issue of the pedestrian crossing (attachments 1 &

2).

After the meeting of 8 March 2005 Council amended the concept proposal to incorporate,

where possible, comments received from the community consultation meeting and

discussions with the Department of Main Roads. The revised concept plan was presented to

Council at the General Meeting of 27 July 2005 (attachment 3). During this meeting Council

adopted the concept plan, which shows the pedestrian crossing opposite the news agency,

as the basis for detailed engineering and landscaping design. After development of the

landscaping design proposals a community consultation meeting was held on 18 May 2006.

At this meeting landscaping proposals were presented to the community and feedback

received. Once again the location of the pedestrian crossing proved to be a contentious

Technical Services Committee Meeting - 18 September 2007 44

issue and dominated discussion at the meeting. After the meeting one letter was received

(attachment 4) questioning the need for the pedestrian crossing.

Following detailed engineering design Stage 1 of the works was scheduled for construction

early 2007. Prior to start of construction Council received a letter, endorsed by KAPA, from

the owner of the newsagency, Kay Hancock, raising her objection to the proposed location of

the pedestrian crossing. As the pedestrian crossing did not form part of the Stage 1 works

construction proceeded. Following requests from Councillors and the Mayor an undertaking

was given to KAPA that the issue of the location of the pedestrian crossing would be referred

back to Council for consideration prior to future stages of the construction. With the re-

allocation of surplus funds from the Warwick Streetscape project to the Killarney Streetscape

project, the next stage of the project is scheduled for construction during the current financial

year. As such it is requested that the matter be considered and a decision made on the

location, or need, of the pedestrian crossing.

Previous Council Consideration

The Killarney Streetscape project was discussed during a number of previous Technical

Services Committee and Council's General meetings, namely:

• General Council Meeting 27/02/2002 Item 13

• Technical Services Committee 13/06/2002 Item 8.3

• General Council Meeting 26/06/2002 Item 16

• Technical Services Committee 12/10/2002 Item 8.3

• General Council Meeting 22/10/2003 Item 14

• Technical Services Committee 14/09/2004 Item 6.11

• General Council Meeting 23/02/2005 Item 8

• Technical Services Committee 19/07/2005 Item 5.8

• General Council Meeting 27/07/2005 Item 8.12

• Technical Services Committee 19/06/2007 Item 5.5

• General Council Meeting 27/06/2007 Item 8.6

Report

As part of the streetscape design process the safety of pedestrians, in particular provision of

a safe crossing point in Willow Street, was considered. At present there is no designated

crossing for pedestrians across Willow St and pedestrians cross the road at will. While the

traffic volumes are relatively low the risk, particularly where the loss of life is involved, is high.

Pedestrians currently have to cross the road between parked vehicles. This which makes it

difficult for oncoming traffic to see them, particularly if they have to cross from behind a truck

or other vehicles that obstruct oncoming traffic’s view. The current situation also does not

provide a safe crossing point for the elderly and disabled people in wheelchairs etc. With this

in mind it is considered essential to provide a pedestrian crossing as part of the streetscape

upgrade project. Initial design proposals included a raised, marked pedestrian crossing with

pedestrians having right of way. In discussions with the Department of Main Roads it was

requested that the pedestrian crossing be changed to an unmarked level crossing with traffic

having right of way. This method however has been challenged in the Warwick Streetscape

which led to the provision of the shared zone.

Within the extent of the streetscape works between the bridge at the CWA hall and the

culvert at the swimming pool, there are limited locations where the pedestrian crossing can

be accommodated due to vehicle entrances, light poles and other obstructions. Ideally the

pedestrian crossing should be located centrally to the streetscape works at a location where

it would complement existing land uses. The decision regarding the location of the

Technical Services Committee Meeting - 18 September 2007 45

pedestrian crossing should be based upon where it would serve its purpose best, contribute

to the safety of the public and provides the greatest benefit to the community at large, both

residents and visitors to the town.

Approximately 9.0m clearance, with no obstructions either side of the road, is required to fit

the proposed pedestrian crossing. The pedestrian crossing would take up approximately 4

parking spaces (2 each side of the road). Locations where the pedestrian crossing can be

accommodated is as shown on the attached plan (attachment 5).

Location 1 - Opposite Killarney Hotel / Willies Wares and Antiques

Location 2 - Opposite Medical Centre / News Agency

Location 3 - Opposite Café / Disused Workshop

Location 4 - Opposite Vacant Property / House

In considering the location of the proposed pedestrian crossing some of the issues that

should be considered include:

• Impact on parking (some locations can affect more than 4 parking spaces)

• Creation of a focal point for the streetscape works

• Longer term land use of properties fronting the pedestrian crossing (while there may

be a certain business fronting the crossing, will that business still be there in 5, 10

years time?)

• Lighting (additional lights may have to be provided if not in close proximity to

proposed lighting)

• Where it would best serve its intended purpose and the community at large

During the community consultation meetings, and with some of the letters received, the issue

of losing parking spaces in front of their shops, and possibly customers, were the main

concerns expressed by business owners regarding the location of the pedestrian crossing.

This was surprising, as previous experience has shown that such a crossing would attract

public to the area of the crossing, making it a desirable location for most businesses. The

proposed pedestrian crossing will be landscaped and public seating will be provided in the

area making it a place where people would congregate. It is not expected that the pedestrian

crossing would have negative impact on business.

The issue of losing parking spaces in front of businesses is not considered to be a factor that

would negatively impact on business. Parking space utilisation is low and sufficient parking

exists in Willow St and other off-street parking areas within the main street. Council will

however need to continually assess parking requirements and provide parking as necessary

through development control processes, and/or provision of other off street parking facilities.

Budget & Financial Aspects

The construction of the pedestrian crossing has been included with previous cost estimates

for the project. There will be no additional financial implication to Council to that budgeted for

with the various stages of the project. There will be a nominal cost saving if the pedestrian

crossing is removed from the project.

Corporate/Operational Plan

Nil

Technical Services Committee Meeting - 18 September 2007 46

Legislation/Local Law

Nil

Conclusion

It is considered necessary by the engineering staff to provide a pedestrian crossing within

Willow St to enable the safe crossing of Willow St by pedestrians and disabled people. While

other locations are possible within the extents of the streetscape works, the location as

previously approved by Council would best serve its intended purpose and provide maximum

benefit to the community at large. The location of the proposed pedestrian crossing would

have minimal impact on businesses and enhance the character of the streetscape works.

The crossing from the newsagency to the Medical Centre is the preferred crossing point.

Recommendation

THAT the report of the Manager Design and Assets dated 10 September 2007 in relation to

Killarney Streetscape Stage 2 - Location of the Proposed Pedestrian Crossing in Willow

Street, Killarney be received and that Council approve the location of the proposed

pedestrian opposite Medical Centre/Newsagency.

Attachments

1. Correspondence from A Goodwin (12 September 2005)

2. Correspondence from Killarney Newsagency (6 October 2005)

3. Correspondence from J R Mackenzie (22 May 2006)

4. Correspondence from Killarney Area Promotion Association (January 2007)

5. Site Plan of possible locations of pedestrian crossing