THE Derwent Valley Council has pushed ahead with its controversial traffic management plan for busy Burnett St, New Norfolk, despite widespread opposition.
Described by the Derwent Valley Gazette as being part of a $750,000 “mainstreet makeover” (August 20, 2008), the project has seen the dividing of the road and the installation of large concrete planter boxes down the middle.
Opponents say the street is not wide enough to cope with the modifications, especially as it is a busy bus and truck route. Complaints to the council have seen the plan modified, with two planter boxes removed from the section of Burnett St between Pioneer Ave and High St. After a two-week hiatus, the remaining boxes were installed on September 2.
Described as “pots” by the council, these square-shaped pink concrete boxes hold ornamental pear trees and have been placed at intervals along the length of Burnett St from George St to the Lyell Highway (Montagu St). The plan calls for “smaller pots” to be installed in adjacent High St and Charles St.
