Stage
one of the Better Bike Connections southern link will go to tender, after
council gave the green light to the design linking central Geelong to the
Barwon River.
The stage one route, which runs along Gheringhap, Carr and Moorabool Streets,
will give cyclists improved connections between key destinations such as South
Geelong Station, the Barwon River Trail, the Bellarine Rail Trail and the CBD.
The stage one design was finalised after extensive consultation, with the
original plans modified in response to community feedback around factors
including car parking and safety.
As
part of the finalised design, parking spaces removed on Moorabool Street will
be offset with the creation of extra spaces in surrounding streets, plus the
formalisation of parking spaces in a currently unsealed section of Kardinia
Park.
Construction of stage one has been costed at $1.955 million, and will be fully
funded from the TAC’s $4.7 million Better Bike Connections grant.
Council has also approved the design for stage two of the southern link, which
connects the Barwon River to Waurn Ponds.
This includes the section on High Street in Belmont between Mt Pleasant Road
and Roslyn Road, which had been the subject of an online vote by more than 2600
community members.
Of the options put to the public, councillors endorsed the recommended 2B
design, which will see separated one-way bike lanes on each side of the street.
Option 2B will provide cyclists with improved safety along High Street, while
also offering the opportunity to double the number of trees and make other
streetscape improvements.
Council’s decision reflected the community’s feedback, with 63 per cent of
survey respondents voting for greater change and separated bike connections,
rather than bikes and cars sharing the road.
The design will require the removal of 30 parking spaces from High Street, however
two studies carried out by the City of Greater Geelong found there is capacity
within existing off-street parking areas to absorb this loss.
Stage two of the southern link has been costed at $2.056 million, and will need
additional funding from the TAC before it can be delivered.
Council’s decision also allows construction to begin next month on the
project’s $1.6 million western link, which will connect central Geelong to
Herne Hill.
Councillor
Bruce Harwood – Mayor:
Council’s decision to endorse the
recommended designs for stage one and two of the Building Better Bike
Connections southern link was made only after very careful consideration, given
the volume of community feedback and investigation by City of Greater Geelong staff.In total, 63 per
cent of respondents to the stage two options wanted to see greater change on
High Street with either option 2A, 2B or 3. These options are not just
about bike lanes, they’re about upgrading the streetscape and making the area a
more appealing place to visit and spend time.These designs will take a staged approach. They do
involve change and will require considerable education to achieve complete acceptance
in the community. But this project is important to our vision of a modern, sustainable
city with an active and healthy community, so the designs we have endorsed will
have long-term benefit.
Councillor Peter Murrihy – Deputy Mayor:
Bike riders should be able to feel safe when they ride. Mobility
is a basic human right and no-one should have to risk their life to get to work
or a friend’s house.The designs we have endorsed are the best choice for safety, directness and
connectivity. The option we have chosen for High Street will see cyclists
separated from cars, helping riders of all ages and abilities to feel
comfortable.Cities are much better with people riding bikes. I believe we are a progressive
city, and progressive cities have separated bike lanes. If we have more people
riding bikes, we will have a healthier community, a healthier environment, and
reduced congestion on our roads.
