QUINDALUP Berry Street residents have offered the city $10,000 to allow their preferred plan of road upgrades on the street.
At tonight’s council meeting councillors have been asked to vote for or against creating an 11 metre cul-de-sac at the north end of Berry Street.
They also have the opportunity to vote for a plan which the majority of Berry Street residents have agreed upon.
This plan includes upgrades to the full length of the existing road.
However, the residents plan would require the city’s budget to be over expended by approximately $10,000.
Berry Street resident of 20 years Bernard Bent said he offered to submit the payment on behalf of three other residents.
Mr Bent said the city’s recommended plan reduced the length of the street and available parking spaces.
He said all six residents on the street agree it should not be shortened with three residents willing to pay up to $10,000 to have their desires met.
“To me it seems a strong uniform vote in favour of the changed location at the end of the street and reinforces the fact that a balanced outcome is easily available to the council,” Mr Bent said.
City of Busselton chief executive officer Mike Archer said it was unusual for money to be accepted by the city from rate payers regarding road upgrades.
“There is nothing to stop it from happening but I worry it will set a bad precedent for future works,” Mr Archer said.
City of Busselton director of engineering and works services Oliver Darby said if the council considered it appropriate to construct the road to the length requested by the residents, it should be funded by the city.
Berry Street resident Simone Nichols is one of the three residents willing to pay towards the road upgrade.
Ms Nichols said she was unhappy with how the issue had been handled by the city.
“The city said they are shortening the road apparently because of the budget but we are offering an alternative so I can’t understand why the officer’s recommendation promotes the city’s plan,” she said.
“This has been going on since October and having put up with the condition of the road for as long as we have is ridiculous.”
Have your say, do you think residents should pay for road upgrades? Email laura.newey@fairfaxmedi.com.au.
