A group of Hawker Approach residents have accused the City of Busselton of not consulting them over the development of bus bays on their street.
Homeowners Christine Watson, Peter Birch and Mal and Lyn Osborne all wrote to the Mail to air their frustrations over the project outside Georgiana Molloy Anglican School.
The school received state government funding almost two years ago to address issues of congestion in the front car park and bus bay area.
Numerous reports of near misses in the area led to a Road Safety Audit being conducted by the City of Busselton, which assisted in this funding being awarded.
Of the 16 new bays, seven will be on the north side of Hawker Approach on the City of Busselton Road Reserve.
The other nine will be located within the school grounds.
City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley said the development was in response to serious safety concerns.
“Various options were investigated and after taking on board feedback from residents and the school, a final engineered approach was selected,” he said.
“The final position of the bays provides access and egress to Hawker Approach without having to drive the full loop around Almond Parkway. This reduces the volume of bus traffic through neighbouring streets and is the safest option.
“This option also presents the least impact on the environment noting that an earlier option involved the removal of a large amount of trees.”
The internal relocation of the bays will create a kiss-and-drop area for middle and senior school parents, which aims to reduce traffic congestion and verge parking on Hawker Approach.
Ms Osborne said the result couldn’t be considered an equitable outcome for the residents of Provence and Hawker Approach.
“Our firm position is that this is a school issue that should be resolved within the school property and which should not add any adverse impacts to the ratepayers of Hawker Approach,” she said.
“There has been no opportunity given to the ratepayers of Hawker Approach to be meaningfully engaged in this process, to express their concerns and opinions and to be afforded the courtesy of being provided all relevant information regarding the why, where, when, how and who in relation to this proposition.”
Resident Peter Birch said dealing with the city had been ‘useless’.
“What consultation has there been with local residents of Hawker Approach who now are facing a bus port in front of their homes, and a new road exiting on a blind and – especially at school exit times – a very busy corner? None,” he said.
“GMAS is a private business operating in a residential area. It has extensive grounds. The school should use their own grounds to sort out the traffic problems rather than inconvenience the ratepayers of Yalyalup.”
Ms Watson said the new proposal didn’t consider safety for all parties involved.
“Placing an exit on an already blind corner seems quite unthinking and very dangerous to other motorists, pedestrians, residents and students walking home,” she said.
“It is imperative that safety is the first concern for all those involved and not fencing this bus station seems to be asking for accidents to happen.
“This is a residential area and therefore residents will still be using the walkways and pathways around the estate. Many mothers and fathers with prams, children on bikes, people walking pets and people with disabilities in various modes of transport will continue to use the walkways so they still need to be safe.”
Mr Henley said the city called for submissions on the original proposal put forward by the school.
He said feedback received and further consultation with the school resulted in development of the final engineered approach.
“Council’s priority has been, and remains, the safety of the students and while this option may not suit all people, it suits the broader majority,” he said.
“It is important to keep this in perspective - buses will only be picking up or dropping off children for around 20 to 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon of school days during the school term.
“Many householders are at work during this time and for those who aren’t, council feels that this is not too much to ask to ensure the safety of the children.”
Mr Henley said the bus bays are intended to be operational before commencement of the third school term.
The residents vowed to attend the next council meeting.
