Kingston's Bay Trail

I do not support the proposed changes being made by the Council. Vic Roads have already stated they do not support the proposed changes as it will increase risk for cyclists and other road users.
We will lose parking spaces and as a cyclist, we will have less space between vehicles and other road users.
WHY are you GOING against Vic Roads and the plans that were endorsed previously?????

As a resident of Beach Road I strongly object to Council's latest plan for completing the BayTrail and think that Council's original resolution in 2016 should be adhered to. I also think it is very unfair that one councillor (Cr. West) can have such an influence on decisions and is always pushing her own very narrow views on what should happen.

I do not agree with the narrowing of beach road for the bay trail.

As a local ratepayer and cyclist I'd like to express my concern regarding the proposed narrowing of Beach Rd. I fail to see how the importance of a few scraggly bushes/trees is more important than human lives.

I am struggling with the whole Baytrail business.
Originally we were promised no loss of car parking. In the first stage at Mordialloc we lost several car parking spaces in the redesigned carparks.
In the second stage at the Mentone end we have lost more carpark spaces.
Now we are looking at a further loss of carparking spaces. If you submit a town planning application - one of the first criteria that is looked at is carparking - but it seems that the Council doesn't play by that rule.

Then we look at the designs over the years. The cliftop design was originally endorsed by Bicycle Victoria as a preferred option over back of kerb. Now they are endorsing back of kerb as the preferred option - sounds like they don't know what they want.

Council designed and built the first stages to the cliftop design, but didn't follow through with the next stage to continue on from this design. Suddenly back of kerb became the preferred option.

Then we modify the back of kerb to reduce car parking - that which from day one we were told there would be no loss of car parking - and narrow Beach rd.

Now they have also added no parking on the Beach side of Beach rd 6-10am Sat & Sundays. Another item that wasn't on the original plans that are on the Kingston site.

Then there is the cost - how much has been spent on different consultants, having more displays and "consultation" over the years. Let alone the waste of paper (trees) in supporting all these designs.

Now we are worried about saving some scrub along the Baytrail - and losing carparking and narrowing the road. None of this makes sense from the original design ideas that we were told about.

Maybe we should leave the road as it is and not have a Baytrail. At least then we would have the road as it is and carparking.

The design needs to have the same carparking as is now, the same width road - or wider - to keep all users safe, the same availability of car parking as is now - ie not introduce no parking on Beach Rd 6-10am Sat & Sundays. If this is a requirement then indented parking needs to be made available along the entire length, or more off road parking made available.

Narrowing of Beach Rd is irresponsible and endangers lives. This plan is driven by Councillors with extreme environmental agenda and does not reflect the majority views of the Bayside residents. Councillors have been elected to represent residents rather than their private passions at the expense of road safety.

do not narrow beach road for a bike lane two and a dog will be on beach rd is a major vic roads highway the removal of scrub would be small and at the end of the day you just replant what was lost like bayside council did.

I think the removal of 7 kerbside parking spaces adjacent to side streets will impact n the residents that live along and near beach rd . Any encouragement of more cyclist along the bay trail or beach rd poses more danger for motorist and cyclist themselves. On the weeknds it's. Cat and mouse game between cyclist and motorist already and it's a wonder their haven't been more accidents . Visitors to the area already park in Coles and surrounding areas which makes it difficult for us ratepayers to shop or use the beach rd or the roads surrounding our houses. When there is bike rallies we the ratepayers can't use sections of beach rd and our streets are congested with cars .

I am deeply concerned at the proposed narrowing of Beach Rd and do not support this action. It will increase traffic in our side streets and reduce traffic flow to our homes and communities in the summer months. I am further upset to read VicRoads has advised against this action and it appears to be planned regardless. Increased traffic congestion in an area adjacent to schools is a worrying and concerning outcome. Please reconsider this action.

The current proposed plan is rubbish - I walk most days between Mentone and Mordialloc and the standard of existing vegetation is very poor (as is the management of the area by Kingston Council!
Why does the Council fail to include all details in the information provided to the ratepayers - you are our servants - we pay your wages - start listening to the overall majority rather than those who wish to live in caves! Whilst I believe in protecting the environment I do not believe that this should be at the expense of safety as well as additional carbon dioxide emissions due to slower traffic lanes! Perhaps you should look at the traffic for the 2 kilometres approaching Mordialloc on Beach Road every workday. Why don't you listen to the experts, that is VicRoads. Stop wasting time (and money) and get on with the plan that was agreed to by 82% of the population in 2016. Stop listening to minorities and do what the majority requires. GET ON WITH IT!

I am writing to express my concern and objection about Beach Road narrowing between Mentone Life Saving Club and Mordialloc, regarding the Bay trail extension.

As per the councils own web site the available Bay Trail options did not mention any Beach Road narrowing to facilitate the addition of the Bay Trail extension

http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/foreshore-and-natural-environment/bay-trail-consultation-2016/bay-trail_community-information_12jan2016.pdf

As both a resident of Kingston and a vulnerable road user of Beach road, my greatest concern is one of safety.

Narrowing Beach road from 14 to 12 meters at the narrowest points, placing many of the vulnerable road users at risk of entering into the inner traffic lanes placing their safety at great risk.

Having the vulnerable road users entering into the inner lanes will no doubt escalate the frustration experienced by all road users and will generate greater potential of increased impacts between road users which could even result in greater numbers of fatalities.

Narrowing the road lane down to 3 meters, as per the proposed design raises a concern regarding the Amy Gillett foundation and Bicycle networks campaign for a meter matters for passing cyclists, Narrowing beach road would most surely place the cyclists at greater risk, and personal safety concern.

It would appear that the councillors decision to narrow the road is to place road user safety down the list.

There is also the issue of community consultation from the council regarding the new plan, it would appear that the decision came with little to no consultation from the community, and only now as instructed by vic roads, council are consulting the community.

I strongly request that the decision, regarding road user safety and community feed back be considered more importantly over vegetation and proceed with the original plan for the bay trail with no narrowing of beach road.

Do Not Narrow Beach Road

Kind regards
A concerned Kingston resident and vulnerable road user

I am a resident of over 10 years living just off Beach Road. During this time I have become very familiar with the increasingly busy use of Beach Road by cyclists, motorists, school children, the elderly, mums with prams, runners and other pedestrians. To construct the Mordialloc to Mentone Bay Trail other than in the same form as the new Mentone Life Saving Club to Charman Road trail, is unthinkable. Beach Road is already chaotic and congestednenough during peak times. To consider a Bay Trail that will narrow the road lanes - which we all realise will occur with the constant stream of cyclists and parked cars - does not promote pedestrian and the overall community safety of our residents and visitors. The overall majority of residents have rejected the current proposed Baytrail plan and have consistently voiced their approval of a trail that is the same as the hugely successful Mentone Life Saving Club to Charman Road link. It is our sincere hope and desire that the council listen to their electorates and do the right thing by the community. We do not want more traffic and cars parked in our residential streets during warmer days which pose a danger to pedestrians. The Baytrail should be an asset to the community - any extra expense is immeasurable long term when the result is the promotion of safety and accessibility for all.

The narrowing of Beach Road will create a significant danger for cyclists riding along Beach Road. This should be avoided at all cost. Also, the Mentone Life Saving Club conducts Nipper training and water safety education for young children on Sunday mornings in summer. Regular attendance of over 200 children is common. Any reduction in parking will have a serious effect on both participants and local children. As it is, some parents now park their cars as far as Charman Road to attend training and carnivals.

Please follow the recommendation of VicRoads and consider the needs of residents and users of the beach and the life saving clubs.

In addition the upgrading of a highly inadequate storm water drain in the Mentone Life Saving Club car park is a necessary pre-requisite and will save Kingston Council money in the long term.

Sincerely yours,

Onno Wieringa

I am totally against any narrowing of Beach Road
Safety of cyclists, movement of cars and parking especially during the summer months is a "must"
for residents.
We often walk along the path and the vegetation is nothing more than scrappy shrubs and weeds
Certainly not worth the trouble and cost of narrowing beach road to keep them.
Councillors should concern themselves with serving the residents priorities and not to follow their
personal agendas

I hope the build quality is better than the section though Mentone. The bike lane on the road is barely shoulder width and the huge drain pits are a dangerous disgrace. If the lane is too narrow to fit a painted bike sign, it's simply not a bike lane.

The Bay Trail needs to be completed promptly, but not at the expense of narrowing Beach Road. This thoroughfare is now at minimum safe width in parts and any reduction will inevitably produce an increase in traffic incidents. The current proposal can only be seen as an attempt to protect existing foreshore vegetation. But as one who walks through this most mornings I question whether this is a reasonable stance.

The actions by Councillor West and her cronies are disgraceful
Councillors are elected by the community to act on our behalf and have our intrerest's at heart
There is clearly a hidden agenda not to listen to the community which have made our feelings loud and clear
DO NOT WIDEN BEACH ROAD
The lies, the misreporting, the hiding of information, the outlandish tactics of deferring Council Meetings to deny Councillors to attend community meetings cannot be tolerated
Those who are in favour of Councillors West proposal , including her should resign forthwith and take your prejudices with you

I live at 169a Beach Road Parkdale, cnr of Rennison Street and the parking now on peak summer days is stretched to the limit

The safety of beachgoers, pedestrians and cyclists is being completed disregarded by a few misguided "do gooders" in favour of some scrub and weed vegetation

Resign, stop wasting our money and let those who know better, get on with the job to complete the Bay trail as first proposed and who will listen to our views.

Vic Roads have developed a sudden interest in the safety of Beach Rd in Kingston have they? That's nice, I wonder why that happened? Where were they when the local community wanted prohibitions of heavy vehicles on Beach Rd? What have they done about the unsafe crumbling bitumen and gravel shoulder on the beach side lane for the last 40 years?


What did they have to say about Beach Rd safety when Bayside City Council built its section of the Bay Trail and Beach Rd was built to approximately 12.1 metres width for the almost the entire length of Bayside CC?


Why did Vic Roads suddenly develop a safety concern when Kingston CC decided to build its road with a minimum width of 12.7m (at bus stops and car parks but up to 13.0 or 13.4m for most of Beach Rd in Kingston CC)?


And what did Vic Roads have to say when Bayside CC decided to provide a minimal amount of parking, with no indented parking, along the beach side lane of Beach Rd for the entire length of Beach Rd in Bayside CC?


I notice Cr Geoff Gledhill of Central Ward (where I live) is raising beach side, left lane parking as a safety issue for cyclists. He's saying that cars parked in the left lane would pose a danger to cyclists. If that is so, aren't cars that are parked in the left lane on the land side also a danger for cyclists? Should we consider a ban on all parking on Beach Rd to make cycling safer? I'd be in favor of that.


Why not do what Bayside did and dispense of indented parking altogether in Kingston? I'd be in favor of that too. As Cr Gledhill points out, it's obviously too dangerous to have cars passing next to parked vehicles (parked either in the left lane or in indented parking)


Why do we need a Bay Trail anyway if we're going to make cycling almost 100% safe on Beach Rd? Let's just ban parking on Beach Rd.


It's also worth noting that while Bayside CC didn't provide any indented parking on Beach Rd it doesn't seem to have a safety issue now? Why destroy more foreshore reserve for something we don't need?


Bayside CC must have resisted the exhortations of the selfish, vested minority who think they have more say than the rest of us when it comes to the management and preservation of our foreshore reserve.


If you live near a shopping centre, public transport, sports oval or schools etc. you have to make compromises. People will park near your house. You can have parking management but you don't get veto over whether people get to park near your house. I get people parking near my house for their amenity about 6 days a week. It causes me inconvenience but that's the price I pay for living near a shopping centre and transport hub. I have to share with other members of the community. People who live near the beach might have people parking near their homes on about 10 days a year. How will they ever cope?


This whole Do Not Narrow Beach Rd campaign is the biggest political beat up I've ever seen here. They don't like trees blocking their views and they don't want people from other suburbs parking near their homes on the few days a year that the beach actually gets busy enough to overwhelm existing parking arrangements. Instead they'd rather concrete more of the foreshore reserve as if it is some sort of inalienable right of theirs.

I went to the consultation session on Tuesday night and found the demonstration on the carpet for the lanes currently now from the middle lane and then the lanes from the middle lane for the 13.05 proposal with the Bay Trail overlayed. Visually it shows how little it is being reduced and for a safer outcome. What I did NOT like is how rude some people were to the staff from different areas (Kingston Council, VICROADS and BIOSIS). It is OK to have a different opinion but it is not OK to attack people. I am amazed at the resilience of Councillor West but slurring insults do hurt. I am ashamed to witness this demonstration of fellow residents in the City of Kingston.

I want to state that this HAVE YOUR SAY offered by Kingston Council continues the farce created by these five councillors who are pushing this proposal to narrow Beach Road.
It is a disgraceful ATTEMPT TO CON THE PUBLIC and continues this wastage of ratepayers money.
The NEWS FEED section of this continuing farce attempts to promote their current proposal referencing it thus.....stating
........ "so far what we have heard" from the community is the following......and then talks about

* a letter box drop to 700 residents

* email of information and survey to local schools, clubs and organisations

* distribution of information to Bicycle Network membership base

& * Council promotions and 3 drop in sessions

However the "KEY" piece of information left out is that this GENUINE CONSULTATION was in fact the consultation done for the original plan which had NO NARROWING OF BEACH ROAD, Verge parking formalised as SAFE indented parking and vegetation removal achieved with all the relevant approved offset planting.

WHEREAS this plan of these five councillors which proposes to NARROW THE ROAD AND REDUCE PARKING had ZERO CONSULTATION!!

They are simply trying to CON the public into thinking the previous consultation (WHICH HAD ABSOULUTELY NO MENTION OF ROAD NARROWING) now applies to their plan.

It is a SHAM and a DISGRACE.

An INSULT to the ENTIRE COMMUNITY......And it represents a major breach of their COUNCILLOR CODE OF CONDUCT!

This code which they all sign off on, details under the heading of COMMITTMENT.......Councillors are to undertake their duties in the best interests of the people of Kingston.

In carrying out their role they are

* To act with integrity

* To impartially exercise their responsibilities in the interests of the local community

* And additionally to act honestly and avoid statements or actions that will or are likely to mislead or deceive

* And they are also not to post or distribute material that is misleading

Let these five councillors know that the community will not accept being CONNED and will only accept the BAYTRAIL plan that the community had already OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED!