Email response from the council (Cr Susan Biggar)
Thank you all for you support with this petition so far. I’ve inserted below the response from our ward councillor Susan Biggar, which is very positive.
I urge you to continue to share this petition to gain more community support! This petition will be used in the application to the Department of Traffic (Vicroads).
From: Susan Biggar <Susan.Biggar@boroondara.vic.gov.au>
Sent: Sunday, December 6, 2020 10:29 am
To: Kirsten Paulsen
Cc: jim.hondrakis@boroondara.vic.go; Bhushan Jani; Kate Western
Subject: Auburn Road at Urquhart Street - Pedestrian Crossing and 40km/h speed request - Ms Paulsen (CAS-860221-X1P0V2, CAS-848451-S7P4K9)
Dear Kirsten
Thank you again for contacting me about your safety concerns in Auburn Road at its intersection with Urquhart Street and Bowler Street, Hawthorn. I appreciate you reaching out.
I have now received the following advice from Council officers.
Auburn Road is an arterial road which falls under the management of the Department of Transport (DoT), formerly VicRoads. The installation of pedestrian signals is subject to meeting DoT criteria and approval. Unfortunately, their criteria with respect to the numbers of pedestrians crossing Auburn Road in the vicinity of Urquhart Street and Bowler Street based on the survey conducted in 2013 were not met. Therefore, an alternative solution involving centre of the road pedestrian refuge islands in Auburn Road to allow pedestrians to stage their crossing was developed. A detailed application was then submitted to DoT in 2014 (extract of plan attached) but not supported as well.
Officers gave an undertaking to revise this proposal and resubmit to DoT for their consideration in their response to you late last year. Officers have given further consideration to a refuge island at this location and are of the view that there is merit in the proposal in improving the level of safety and access for pedestrians in line with standards. Officers are also prepared to investigate and further pursue a set of pedestrian signals as an alternative option.
On this basis, officers intend to update the pedestrian refuge application and also develop a detailed application to install pedestrian signals in Auburn Road in the vicinity of its intersection with Urquhart Street and Bowler Street. Due to the changes to typical traffic behaviours associated with the impacts of Covid-19, officers have been unable to perform the traditional reviews that would occur including collection of traffic survey data. Officers will aim to conduct independent traffic surveys once typical traffic patterns return, most likely in early February 2021.
In the interim, work on both applications will proceed and be supplemented with the traffic survey data in February 2021. It is intended that both options will be presented to the DoT for formal consideration.
Officers will also include your petition in their detailed application to DoT to demonstrate strong community interest and support for the proposals. Subject to approval for one of the options, officers will pursue funding through DoT for installation given that Auburn Road is a declared main road under the jurisdiction of the DoT.
Should you require any further details, please contact Bhushan Jani, Coordinator Transport Management on 9278 4518.
Thank you again for contacting me, Kirsten. Fingers crossed that this application ultimately achieves improved safety for residents. I hope our paths cross again in these next few years.
Susan
Susan Biggar
Councillor Riversdale Ward
8 Inglesby Rd, Camberwell, 3124
0482 999 959
Susan.Biggar@boroondara.vic.gov.au
www.boroondara.vic.gov.au