In 2017 Regional Roads Victoria mooted double lanes through Surf Beach, suggesting Phillip Island Road could be a dual lane highway, around that time approaching adjacent landholders to discuss acquiring land to accommodate the expanded road.
In this second week of a new series – which explores planning: our future – we look at traffic and parking.
Phillip Island – and to a lesser extent San Remo – are natural bottlenecks and with the resident and tourist population growing annually, pinch points are quickly seen in congestion on roads and towns. Here we explore the pressures and possible solutions.
In 2017 Regional Roads Victoria mooted double lanes through Surf Beach, suggesting Phillip Island Road could be a dual lane highway, around that time approaching adjacent landholders to discuss acquiring land to accommodate the expanded road.
Many residents responded saying they didn’t want to see “Gold Coast-style” development.
Bass Coast Shire councillor Michael Whelan at the time warned Phillip Island’s lifestyle should not be destroyed to cater to congestion, calling for smarter traffic management across the island.
The Victorian National Trust also rejected the push for a four-lane highway. “Preserving the integrity of the destination, not detracting from it, should be the main aim,” the Bass branch of the National Trust stated.
“The road strategy for the island raises broader issues around the natural environment of the island, landscape and scenic values, heritage and township character, and consideration of other options available to best handle increasing visitor numbers and tourist traffic.”
The National Trust suggested better options would include the use of park-and-drive buses at peak periods, expanded public transport, and more cycling and walking paths.
Planning: traffic and parking
It’s a simple formula: more residents and more tourists means more cars, more congestion and more parking problems.
Here are a few other examples of where traffic is reaching a tipping point.
