Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) wants to hear the thoughts of Lakes Entrance residents about plans to upgrade car parking on the Princes Highway.
Until July 31, the community can complete a short online survey about plans to simplify parking by converting existing parallel parks between Myer and Carpenter streets to 45-degree angle parking.
Replacing the current off-road carpark with angle parking will create room to widen the footpath in front of the shops by two metres and allow the old car parking area to be landscaped and turned into new recreational space.
In addition, East Gippsland Shire Council is proposing to construct additional car parking behind the shops to provide easy access to the esplanade via the arcade walkway.
RRV regional director (Eastern), Sara RhodesWard, said the proposed car parking changes are significant and RRV is keen to continue the conversation with local traders and the community throughout the decision-making process.
“Our goal with this project is to boost safety and improve access to local businesses in this popular tourist town,” Ms Rhodes-Ward said.
“We want to improve the current situation where people have to cross a busy highway because the shops are on the opposite side to where most of the available parking is. There are also congestion issues when passing traffic needs to wait for vehicles parallel parking.
“The community and local traders have told us that keeping the same number of car spaces in this area is important to them and that’s what we will achieve – at the same time, we’re refreshing the town centre.
“We would like to gauge the community’s support and will take that feedback into account before we decide whether to proceed with these plans.”
This proposal is part of a multi-million-dollar package of improvements being rolled out in Lakes Entrance over the next two years that will improve safety, accessibility and amenities.
These works are funded under the Australian and Victorian governments’ $50 million investment package to upgrade the Princes Highway between Sale and the New South Wales border.
To complete the survey and get more information about this project, head to the Regional Roads Victoria website and search for Lakes Entrance.
Meanwhile, RRV plans to implement further improvements along the esplanade, including:
- Improvements to the foreshore footpath and carparks opposite Mechanics Street.
- An intersection upgrade at Carpenter Street, including new pedestrian crossing lights, is expected to be completed by December.
- Installation of solar lighting to the foreshore path between the Bullock Island roundabout and Myer Street. A trial section between Mechanics Street and the slipway is expected to be completed by August.
- An upgrade to the Myer Street intersection including removal of the slip lane and replacement with a dedicated left-turn lane, and improved landscaping. Works are expected to commence in mid-2020 and will include a raised safety platform similar to the Barkes Avenue intersection.
At its recent annual general meeting the Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association details of the upgrade were presented by Regional Roads Victoria and gained much support.
The association had a few questions about the need for further consideration of how to improve crossings in Church Street and how the planned additional crossings in the Esplanade will work.
PICTURED: Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) wants to hear the thoughts of Lakes Entrance residents about plans to simplify parking by converting existing parallel parks between Myer Street and Carpenter Street to 45-degree angle parking. (PS)
