Published on Thursday, 20 July 2023 at 9:22:59 AM
If you’ve been caught in traffic congestion around Maitland Park during peak school drop off and pick-up times, then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to have a say on a concept plan that explores how to resolve the issue.
A busport, covered carpark and modifications to Carson Terrace intersections at Maitland Street and Cathedral Avenue along with upgrades to Maitland Park have been considered as potential solutions in transforming the area into a shared education precinct, incorporating a botanical garden, and are all featured in the Maitland Park Transport Hub Concept Masterplan.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said although the City is still exploring how the safety and congestion issues could be resolved, the Concept Masterplan demonstrates how buses, cars, pedestrians and cyclists can move more efficiently around Maitland Park.
“Nearly 3000 students attend the five schools located in the vicinity of Maitland Park,” he said.
“Approximately 1000 students arrive and leave on school buses, many walk or ride bikes, while the remainder are dropped off and picked up by cars.
“That’s a lot of people and vehicle movement that needs balancing for better efficiency.
“By prioritising sustainable bus transport, formalising parking and creating centralised pedestrian crossings the overall safety and traffic flow around Maitland Park would improve.
“Councillors have already reviewed the Concept Masterplan and we look forward to hearing what the community has to say.
“If there is enough support for the Concept Masterplan, Council could consider further development of the plan and potentially adding it to our Ten-Year Capital Works Program,” Mayor Van Styn added.
Geraldton Croquet Club President Peter Clift said he supports the Concept Masterplan and its proposed location in the Club’s current footprint in Maitland Park.
“The Club has been involved in the project since the beginning and we believe the concept plan will resolve traffic congestion and safety concerns,” he said.
“Although we’ve been in our current location for 50 years, it no longer meets our Clubs growing needs which is why we have been working with the City to identify an alternative location before our lease expires in 2025.”
Over the last 14 months, the City engaged with local stakeholders to develop the Concept Masterplan. Landscape architects and urban designers UDLA worked closely with the Maitland Park Stakeholder Working Group comprised of representatives from: local schools, students and the Department of Education; bus transport companies; WA Police and Crime Prevention Committee; Main Roads WA, Road Wise; Cycling Advocacy Group; the Croquet Club; Catholic and Anglican churches; Friends of Geraldton Gardens (FroGGs) and the Farmers Market to investigate and explore opportunities for the Concept Masterplan.
Members of the community can provide their feedback on the Concept Masterplan online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MaitlandParkHub. Hardcopies of the masterplan and feedback forms are also available at the Civic Centre at 63 Cathedral Avenue.
The deadline to have your say is 9.00am, Monday 7 August 2023.
For more information on the project here.
Picture Caption: Maitland Park Transport Hub Concept Masterplan
Back to All News