May 29, 2014
The switch-on of Nanango’s first traffic lights on Tuesday evening may have provoked criticism from some locals on social media, but Cr Barry Green isn’t flustered.
“I’m sure people will get used to them very quickly and after that they’ll appreciate just how much safer they make things,” he told southburnett.com.au today.
The traffic lights – at the intersection of Drayton Street and the Burnett Highway – have been under construction by Department Of Transport and Main Roads staff since April 1.
They were funded by the State Government’s “Black Spot” program which allocated $500,000 to build the lights in last year’s Budget.
Cr Green said some people were upset the introduction of the traffic lights meant the town would lose “eight or nine” central parking bays in Drayton Street.
But he said this was more than made up for by the nearby Scott Car Park, which is now 33 per cent bigger after the Council purchased the old Grain Shed site and added it to the car park as part of an on-going redevelopment of the area.
Cr Green stressed that parallel parking areas near the new traffic lights would remain but said Scott Car Park was so central to Drayton and Fitzroy streets that it would probably be a better alternative for many people than the lost central parking bays anyway.
“We didn’t get the shade sails installed in the Scott Car Park until towards the end of summer but usage of the new car park was good all the same,” Cr Green said.
“This summer – with the shade sails in place – I think it will be even better.”
Cr Green said Council was also very conscious of the need to make the Scott Car Park easily accessible for elderly and disabled residents.
That was why it had recently put a smooth concrete surface onto Butts Lane to connect the car park with Drayton Street.
“People who use a walking frame or a wheelchair should find access to the Drayton Street shops from the car park is easier than it was from one of the central parking bays,” he said.
The new traffic lights are the latest stage of the Nanango CBD redevelopment project, which is expected to be completed by December.
Under the plan, Drayton and Fitzroy streets will receive an extensive makeover, and the town’s entrances along the Burnett Highway will be lined “from bridge to bridge” by pear and plum trees, which will change colour four times a year with the seasons.
Cr Green pooh-poohed rumours the new trees – which replaced the camphor laurels that formerly lined Henry Street – were doing poorly.
He said none of the trees had died since they were planted and he had been assured by the contract gardener looking after them that they were all in good health.
“I know one of the trees near Alexander’s Garage is looking a bit crook but I’ve been assured it’s ok,” he said.
He was also aware the trees “looked a bit rough” at the moment but said this was due to the way the redevelopment was unfolding.
The trees were planted later than originally intended, which meant this year’s unseasonally warm autumn had put some of them “out of sync” with the local climate.
But this problem would correct itself naturally as the trees put down roots and became acclimatised.
The current look of the trees would also be improved when granite enclosures were built to protect them from adjoining car parking spots.
Cr Green said he understood that the work done this year on rebuilding the former Drayton Street bridge and getting the new lights installed had made the centre of Nanango look messy, and had inconvenienced some people.
“But I think in three to five years when all of this is done and all the plants have grown, everyone will look at this project and say ‘Wow! This was the right thing to do’,” he said.
“If some people can’t see this at the moment, I can understand that. But I’d urge everyone to reserve judgment until the project is finished.
“It still has a long way to go, and it will be worth it in the end.”
Cr Green also believes the redevelopment project will give Nanango’s CBD a long-term future as a tourist town, in a similar way to Childers.
“Nanango has more history than any other town in the South Burnett, and a lot of it is on show in our laneways and main streets,” he said.
“I can see the day when tourists driving up the Burnett Highway turn into Drayton Street or the Scott Car Park and want to get out an explore the place because it looks so inviting.”
Cr Green said he believed developing a strong tourist trade would add to the residential trade that already exists in the town, and make it possible for new boutique businesses to open their doors.
“Nanango has a bright future – we just have to work at it,” he said.
[UPDATED with corrections]
