Council Addresses Traffic Concerns on Ocean Park Avenue in Special Council Meeting

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Published
8th February 2024

Ocean Park Avenue will soon be re-opened to through traffic after a decision by a Special Meeting of Livingstone Shire Council on Tuesday (February 6).

Responding to concerns from residents about non-local traffic volume, speed and size, a trial closure commenced on January 22, intended to deter non-resident traffic from the area.  But the trial closure also restricted local traffic, and this was of concern to other residents.

Councillors ultimately agreed that the road should be re-opened, with Council CEO Cale Dendle confirming that the trial closure would cease once an alternative solution of temporary, one-lane slow points was installed in the coming weeks.

“We are finalising designs for temporary treatment, and once these are installed in the coming weeks, the trial closure will end,” Mr Dendle said.

"While that short-term fix happens, our engineers are also designing a longer-term solution which will be consulted with Central Park Estate residents in the coming months.

“Based on feedback from that process, permanent solutions will then be determined.”

The trial road closure will remain in place until the new traffic-calming treatments are installed.

Mr Dendle appealed to motorists to be considerate of residents when travelling in suburban streets.

“Motorists are entitled to use public roads.

“But, we do urge drivers to be mindful of residents in suburban streets and ask that people don’t take unnecessary shortcuts through local neighbourhoods.”

Council resolution of 6 February 2024:

THAT:

  1. Although not necessarily supported by traffic data collected over the past 12 months, Council recognises the concerns of some residents of Ocean Park Avenue about road safety caused by non-resident traffic “rat running” this through-route increasing traffic volume and speed and vehicle size on a road not intended for such purpose.
  2. Accordingly, Council directs that:
    1. A permanent closure of the road is not an acceptable outcome.
    2. Council prefers other Local Area Traffic Management solutions such as vertical deflection (e.g. speed humps) and will consult further on the preferred solution once a detailed design has been completed.
    3. The outcome of the consultation, along with previous options analysis will be presented to as recommendations to Council.
  3. While the latest review and consultation are undertaken, other traffic calming (temporary one-lane slow point) will be installed along Ocean Park Avenue to enable the trial road closure to be discontinued.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY