Council votes to close High Street Service Road

The decision to close the High Street Service Road at the Apollo Street end was agreed upon by Mansfield Shire Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 30 June, following extensive community engagement on the proposal.

The closure, which went to the community for two rounds of engagement, responds to concerns from residents regarding drivers using the service road as a shortcut instead of the designated slip road to High Street and Maroondah Highway, behaviour that increases traffic volumes and affects safety and amenity for local residents. 

These impacts have been most noticeable during peak periods, including the winter ski season, due to the increased number of visitors. 

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie thanked the community for its engagement on the matter.

“This has been shaped by robust conversation in the community and the feedback we received directly impacted the final proposal,” he said.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say on the matter, Council remains committed to listening to our community on the issues that impact or interest them.”

The decision follows a period of community consultation, during which Council received a wide range of feedback, both for and against the proposal. 

“Council has listened to many diverse views and thought very carefully about the proposal and the potential future issues related to the service road,” Mayor Cr Rabie said. 

“The closure will keep traffic on the main road, which ultimately protects the safety and amenity of nearby residents as Mansfield Shire grows.”

Dr Will Twycross who spoke for the closure of the High St service road at June’s ordinary council meeting, said the service lane was no longer fit for purpose and presented risks.

“If this service lane is not closed, Council opens itself up to the possibility of an inappropriate development, a high flow traffic development that could run 80 cars an hour through a service lane intended to serve residents, using it as part of their application and you’ll have a lot of trouble stopping it,” he said.

Kym Lynch, who spoke for the closure of the High St service lane on behalf of the Mansfield Matters Group, called the service lane a significant emerging traffic pressure point with the future opening of the Mansfield Heritage museum and wider Station Precinct.

“In recent times, the service road has become more of a rat run than a residential road and its current configuration is likely to become a safety hazard for both traffic and pedestrians and traffic data suggests it makes a good deal of sense to close the slip road now,” she said.

Tony Tehan spoke to confirm his support for the Council officer recommendation to close the road and for those who appeared before Council to argue the case.

“It’s a really chaotic situation and I’ve always been concerned by the traffic at the entrance of town, I think it’s an absolute necessity that it is closed,” he said.

Council thanks the community for its engagement on the matter and those who appeared before Council to make their case regarding a matter that has the potential to impact Mansfield township significantly in the future.