Tips to solve parking woes
TO create more parking spaces, l start at Big W, narrow the driveways and turns, make park angle closer to 90 degrees, narrow bay width by 30cm, buy a can opener and also shave 50cm off bay length as l need to sue somebody for a new towbar and shin.
Cut two-hour parking down to 15 minutes, increase loading zones to 24 hours for truck drivers to watch movies. Cut parallel parking bays 50cm shorter to ensure more considerate motorists don't straddle the line into my bay.
All roads leading into the CBD be e-tagged at $20 access fee like London.
Enforce underground or rooftop parking on all new buildings, including Lucas, to cater for our grandchildren's parking, as our grandparents should have done.
In hindsight, the Civic Hall, two-level car park should have had stronger foundations to add more stories to, if needed (now). The railway firewood siding land opposite Aldi was ideal for a natural split level carpark; alas, sold.
Perry Park camping ground in Gregory Street was ideal for railway parking; alas, sold. The John Valves site was on the market for quite a while; perfect or sporting venues and parking adjoining to extend and park cars. Sold. Nearby acreage to the west and east of the electricity depot opposite; sold.
- Colin Holmes, Ballarat
Trial Buninyong crossing
THIS week a flyer appeared in a Buninyong business that wrongly states the Buninyong and District Community Association (BDCA) opposes a pedestrian crossing and has influenced State MP Geoff Howard to back away from his pledge to install one in Buninyong.
I write because the author of this flyer did not identify themselves, so the BDCA has no means of defending itself against the claims made.
What is not mentioned in it is that the whole Buninyong community was recently invited to comment on their preference regarding a crossing at a VicRoads 'drop-in' session at the town hall and the BDCA promoted and advertised this event.
The BDCA does not oppose a pedestrian crossing. Its position, based on sound reasoning and with a substantial vote of members, is that a zebra crossing be trialled (for a year only, followed by review), along with other road safety measures. Our reasoning is as follows:
a) We are not sure whether the national cycling championships will continue;
b) a Buninyong Township Plan co-ordinated by the City of Ballarat will be initiated soon and will establish heritage zones for Buninyong: these should guide the crossing's placement;
c) the most recent VicRoads/council traffic study shows traffic counts do not meet VicRoads warrants for lights and recommends a staged approach; and
d) a 2015 broad-based community meeting resolved that lights were not needed.
It is disappointing to see the association's integrity being questioned over this issue.
- Linda Zibell, BDCA president
Alzheimer’s awareness
DURING Dementia Awareness Month in September, Alzheimer’s Australia is calling for greater awareness and understanding of dementia so people living with the condition feel less isolated and alone.
A survey just released by Alzheimer’s Australia has found that people with dementia are almost twice as likely to have high rates of loneliness, and people with dementia and carers are significantly more lonely than the general population.
Treating people with the same respect, kindness, inclusiveness and thoughtfulness you always have is what makes a difference to them. They are still the same person they were before the diagnosis. They just may need a little bit more time, understanding and support. Go to fightdementia.org.au
- Leanne Wenig and Associate Professor Michael Woodward, Alzheimer’s Australia Vic
