Angry residents have voiced their opposition to a planned sub-division that will add 21 homes to two blocks of land at Mount Clear.
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The main concern was a new laneway on Hermitage Avenue and how this might affect the safety of cyclists and walkers who use the narrow, winding road.
A main access road will also be built on Geelong Road at the development’s west.
Residents fear drivers travelling to Ballarat will use the Hermitage Avenue access instead of Geelong Road, so they can turn right at Hocking Street traffic lights.
Objector Peter Barr said there would be safety issues on Hermitage Avenue.
“Anything to do with a new development means money to council,” he said.
“At one end of Hermitage Avenue you have an existing set of lights, but where it comes onto the Geelong Road, if you have a look at the state of the service lane, it is an absolute shambles.
“Opening up another road is going to safety issues.”
Mr Barr was one of 28 people who submitted an objection to council and lives close to the development. Mediation between residents and the developer was attended in January but there was no resolution.
The council report on the sub-division said the accuracy of a traffic report was questioned by objectors because it was completed during university holidays.
Despite the note the council staff did not object to the project.
Council development and planning director Angelique Lush said the new development was not expected to significantly increase traffic on Hermitage Avenue, which is already a 50km/h suburban street.
“The traffic engineering expert for the applicant, and council’s traffic unit both support providing access onto Geelong Road as the main entrance to the site, with a one-way exit only provided onto Hermitage Avenue to allow access to the traffic signals at Hocking Avenue,” she said.
“In addition, the exit would include a path which provides easier walking and cycling access to their new neighbourhood.”
VicRoads was one of 11 authorities consulted but did not raise any objections to the roads plan.
Ms Lush said the municipality’s traffic engineers had also studied the plan and not raised any objections.
“The proposed development would allow access out onto Geelong Road, so it is expected most movements would be to this side,” she said.
“As Geelong Road is controlled by VicRoads, their engineers have reviewed the application and also not raised objections.”
Council will vote on the sub-division at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday night