Leongatha growth plans set down
One option: closing Simons Lane and extending Parr Street has been suggested in a South Gippsland Council report into future growth.
SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council is getting ready to expand Leongatha
southwards.
As part of plans out for public discussion, Simons Lane may close and Parr Street extend west to the Bass Highway, with an intersection near the cemetery.
A Transport and Traffic Impact Assessment Report has been prepared by consultants, looking to the next 20 years.
It is available on council’s website or can be seen at the reception desk.
No council decisions on its contents have yet been made.
Interestingly, the report notes that while the State Government will not reinstate rail passenger services between Cranbourne and Leongatha in the short term, “a passenger and/or freight railway connection may be provided in the future”.
The traffic assessment area embraces 208 hectares of mostly farm land bounded by Parr Street and existing residential development to the north, the Great Southern Rail Trail and Greenwood Parade to the west, Simons Lane/Boags Road to the south and Coalition Creek to the east.
The report is part of a Southern Leongatha Outline Development Plan that in turn, is connected with the Leongatha Structure Plan.
The area in question is expected to end up with 14 hectares of commercial land that would cater for bulky goods and some retail, with the remaining 194 hectares set aside for urban residential development.
Provision has been made for a pedestrian and cycle network in the new residential subdivisions, including a link with the rail trail. And there are plans for a north/south pedestrian and cycle route through Leongatha, via the rail trail.
The traffic impact assessment suggests two road options for the new development.
One is to retain the intersection of Bass Highway and Simons Lane, but reconfigure it to make it safe.
The second is to close Simons Lane and extend Parr Street to the Bass Highway.
The report also suggests extra public bus services to link areas of the new development with Leongatha’s town centre, 1.8kms away.
Acting council planning manager Paul Stampton said, “The report presents long term transport planning options for council and VicRoads to consider.”
Short URL: /?p=1096
Posted by 
