FRANKSTON councillors have voted to confer with emergency services about the possibility of cutting off vehicle access to Station Street Mall.
Councillors voted nearly unanimously to explore cutting off vehicle access, a move that Cr Colin Hampton said was important to ensure the area is “as pedestrian friendly as possible”.
The Station Street Mall is home to a number of restaurants and other businesses, and vehicle access is currently allowed for the whole stretch of the mall. Under the proposed changes, a turnoff to the Bayside Shopping Centre car park near the Young Street entrance would serve as the cut off point for cars.
The passed motion read that Council “authorises commencement of the statutory process to consider the road closure on Station Street Mall and of a short section of Station Street in Frankston for vehicular traffic, gives public notice of the proposed road closure, and refers the proposal to emergency service authorities for comment.”
Cr Glenn Aitken said he had “concerns” about the effect the road closure would have on the emergency services, but said he was relieved that they would have the “opportunity to be heard during the consultation process.”
Cr Quinn McCormack opposed the road closure, while the remaining councillors voted in favour. Cr Steve Toms was absent.
Council voted unanimously in April to endorse final concept plans for an upgrade of Station Street. Proposed council works on Station Street Mall are currently budgeted at $1.27 million, with $360,000 of that being state government funding.