Wrong way
ANDY Grayden spoke for many South Gippslanders when he called for the Leongatha heavy vehicle alternate route to follow the railway line and not Long Street.
The Leongatha truck driver told South Gippsland Shire Council last Wednesday the Long Street route approved by council and the State Government was not the best option.
But his concerns came too late, with acting mayor Cr Jeanette Harding telling him the project was already in the design phase and could not be changed.
She said the owner of the railyards, the State Government agency VicTrack, was not interested in talking to VicRoads about giving up the former railyards land.
“I see your point of view but I’m just wondering if it’s too late,” Cr Harding said.
Acting council CEO Anthony Seabrook responded swiftly, “It is too late. They have started the detailed design.”
Mr Grayden called for the highway to continue straight through the intersection of Anderson and McCartin streets, and the Strzelecki Highway.
He believed Apex Park should go to make way for a new road alongside the railway and under the Koonwarra Road bridge.
Mr Grayden called for roundabouts at the intersection of Anderson and McCartin streets, and also on Koonwarra Road, near Leongatha Holden.
He believed trucks could exit Koonwarra Road and head to Inverloch via a new road connecting to Holt Street, which would then take trucks to Young Street and back onto McCartin Street.
“VicRoads is not interested in it,” he said.
“It would get heavy vehicles out of Bair Street and McCartin Street, and make it much safer.”
Mr Grayden believed his proposal would allow the railway station to stay and the South Gippsland Tourist Railway to continue to operate.
“This country is going backwards at the moment because people won’t get out there and have a go,” he said.
Mr Grayden said Long Street is already congested, with no turning lanes for people entering the new Salvation Army complex and no turning lanes for V/Line bus drivers to access the bus stop near the railway station.
“Have a look at this for the next 50 years, not just in five years’ time,” he said.
Mr Grayden’s proposal received support from many people on The Star’s Facebook page.
Paul Norton of Leongatha South suggested the proposed Long Street route would be improved by closing Jeffery and A’Beckett streets at their junctions with Long Street.
He said that would direct traffic down Hassett Street, away from the new heavy vehicle route, and proposed a new commercial or light industry zone between Long Street and Dr Wood Lane.
“That land would go like hot cakes,” he said.
What about this?: Andy Grayden believed the former railyards in Leongatha would be the perfect location for the heavy vehicle alternate route through town, instead of the Long Street option being pursued by VicRoads.
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