Shire changes plan for Torquay North roadblocks

THE Surf Coast Shire council has changed its plans for the temporary roadblocks in Torquay North, and will remove one of them within two weeks.
The shire introduced the barriers on July 13 to close Glengarry, Inshore, Marine and Centreside drives to vehicle traffic at the junction of The Quay and Quay 2 estates to temporarily re-create traffic conditions for residents in the original Quay development in place before the Quay 2 development started.
The decision sparked instant backlash in the community, including a change.org petition with about 700 signatures calling for the roadblocks’ immediate removal.
At least one of the roadblocks has been moved aside at least once without the council’s permission. The Marine Drive roadblock was opened on Thursday morning last week, but it is not known who did so.
The shire originally planned to leave the roadblocks in place until the traffic lights at the intersection of Surf Coast Highway, Coombes Road and Rosser Boulevard were completed, which was not expected to happen until late 2021.
However, on Monday this week, the shire’s acting chief executive officer Anne Howard said new information on traffic data in Torquay North had led the shire to undertake a new, three-step approach.
In Step 1, the roadblocks on Centreside Drive will be removed in the week starting October 19.
Step 2 will see the roadblock on Inshore Drive removed when half of residences in Stages 14, 15 and 16 of Quay 2 are constructed, while the Marine and Glengarry drive roadblocks will be removed, in Step 3, when 75 per cent of the residences in those stages are built.
“Traffic counter data along Merrijig Drive and the streets exiting Quay 2 during August and September has given us a greater understanding about the current traffic volumes moving along Merrijig Drive and coming and going from the new estate,” Ms Howard said.
“Many things have changed since the original traffic planning was done in 2012, and even since Council made its decision to install the temporary closures. The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on reducing traffic flow is material and we need to consider what changes to restrictions may mean for the road network as we plan next steps.
“We understand not everyone is happy with this approach and we have had some interference with the barriers and even private property damaged. We will continue to promptly address these issues when they are brought to our attention.”
The Quay and Quay 2 developer Intrapac Property slammed the roadblocks as “completely unnecessary” when they were installed, according to chief operating officer Max Shiftman.
Mr Shiftman said Intrapac maintained that position despite the shire’s announcement.
“Nonetheless, something is better than nothing so we are happy to see some improvements to this situation. We are continuing work on completing the intersection at Surf Coast Highway as soon as possible, and expect to start works before the end of the year as long as Regional Roads Victoria provide their final approval.
An Intrapac spokesperson said Stages 14, 15 and 16 had been titled, with Stages 14 and 16 settled and settlement for Stage 15 starting “imminently”.
For more information and traffic counts, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/QuayTraffic.