Community concerns about Torquay North roadblocks

THE roadblocks installed by the Surf Coast Shire council in Torquay North are proving divisive, with some residents in the area urging the shire to take them down immediately.

One resident in the area says people will be pressing the council on the issue during question time at tonight’s Surf Coast Shire council meeting.

On July 13, the council set up barriers to close Glengarry, Inshore, Marine and Centreside drives to vehicle traffic at the junction of The Quay and Quay 2 estates.

The council says it is re-creating traffic conditions for residents in the original Quay development in place before the Quay 2 development started, and will leave the barriers in place until the traffic lights at the new intersection of Surf Coast Highway, Coombes Road and Rosser Boulevard are completed in late 2021.

Tylah Davies lives very close to one of the barriers on Centreside Drive, and said motorists were frequently using his driveway to make U-turns.

He said there was considerable frustration in the community about the barriers.

“There are some drivers who are taking the law into their own hands and driving on the footpath around the barriers.

“We’d like the opportunity for the shire to at least try speed bumps.”

He said a group of residents had consulted a local real estate agent, who said every one of the affected properties “has taken a direct financial hit” since the barriers’ installation.

“Things are changing every day with coronavirus, people might have to sell their home, but they won’t be able to get a fair price for their properties.

“We were totally unaware that this was a possibility when we built here – if we were aware, we would have seriously considered building somewhere else.”

The July 13 closures came about six weeks after the council received a petition from some community members urging the intersection to be postponed until Inshore Drive was fully extended from Fischer Street, as (according to the petition) “local streets will become dangerous ‘rat runs’ for our kids and families getting to and from parks, schools and shops”.

The Surf Coast Shire council meeting will be livestreamed tonight (Tuesday, July 28) from 6pm. Head to https://webcast.surfcoast.vic.gov.au.