Speaking out

14 December 2020

When I’m parking opposite the supermarket, I get anxious. So far, I haven’t backed out over a human being, or into a 4WD coming up Station Street. But every time, I take it very steadily.

And every time I walk from the supermarket across Sutherlands Road, then Main Road to the PO, I notice how much traffic there is. Five years ago, you could park outside the PO, and that was it. But not now.

The Shire has $60,000 earmarked for a Traffic Study of Riddell’s town centre. I wonder if the consultants will talk to those who live here and use the traffic system as drivers, walkers and riders. The Shire’s draft policy on community engagement suggests they should.

The typical set up for engagement has been that Council works out the options and takes them to the people for their opinion. Then it disappears, crunches the data, and reappears with a decision.

For movement of people and vehicles in Riddell, I think we can do better than that. What’s working and not working? We need discussion between drivers, walkers and riders, and with the traders.

This is ‘co-design’ – the people affected by an issue are part of developing the options. Managing traffic is a start, but how does that fit with places to sit, places to meet and talk, access to the Railway Station and light industrial area down Sutherlands Road, and access to the Lions Park and through to the school?

If we talk about this early, a technical study can test out the options, and it will be money well spent. But without that discussion, we get a car solution that doesn’t work for all the other things we want in the heart of Riddell. We’re growing fast – we need to get this sorted! 

So if you get anxious on Station St, or worry what the increasing density of traffic will do to Riddell, write to the CEO of MRSC and ask the Shire how they plan to go about their traffic study. 

Ross Colliver, Riddells Creek Landcare
December 2020