Restrictions drive down bus problem at lighthouse

THE Surf Coast Shire is cautiously optimistic new measures have largely solved the problem of large tourist buses near the Aireys Inlet lighthouse.·

Commercial tour operators travelling between Melbourne and the 12 Apostles have frequently used Inlet Crescent in the Split Point Lighthouse precinct as a stopping point, which has caused congestion and affected the precinct’s amenity and safety for not only residents but also tourists.

Concerns escalated through last year and the Aireys Inlet and District Association (AIDA) has been watching the situation closely, meeting with the shire in November to express its wish to permanently ban all buses from the lighthouse precinct.

However, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), not the shire, has authority to prevent large buses from entering the precinct but restricts bus access during all school holidays, including Christmas and Easter.

Temporary signs are used in these periods to instruct buses not to enter, with restrictions enforced by Victoria Police and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

 

The shire has been using a combination of bus and long vehicle entry and “no standing” restrictions in the precinct since December.

Over summer, AIDA members also sent photographs of buses ignoring the signs to Parks Victoria and to the Anglesea police station for follow up.

In their March newsletter, AIDA noted non-compliance dwindled to almost zero within a few days, and the association’s traffic flow study between 20-30 December found none of the 132 buses observed entered Inlet Crescent South.

As part of a 12-month pilot, the shire is measuring the impact of introducing long vehicle “no standing” signs to act as a deterrent to buses when DTP’s restrictions are not in place, so the shire’s rangers can issue infringements.

The signs were installed in Inlet Crescent and Reserve Road during late February, which followed DTP allowing an extended period of no entry to the precinct beyond the end of the summer holidays.

Surf Coast Shire general manager of placemaking and environment, Chris Pike, said the shire had also been communicating with coach tour operators about the new arrangements for the precinct and highlighting more suitable stopping points on the Great Ocean Road.

“Locals have been helpful in sharing their own observations,” he said.

“Initial signs are that this mix of measures is proving successful. It was certainly a quieter summer and start to the year with very few large buses in the precinct. Together we’ll continue to monitor what happens over the course of the 12-month pilot but so far we’re cautiously optimistic.

“We’re appreciative of the considerate response by most bus tour operators and drivers.”