Murphys Avenue has high demand for parking by students and employees of
the university. This has created significant numbers of pedestrians walking
between their cars and the university through the Botanic Gardens.
Having limited paving, the current grass verges are
worn to the underlying earth, can be muddy when wet and have exposed tree
roots. The proposed footpath will improve pedestrian safety and access to the
area.
Additionally, the footpath design has taken into consideration preservation
of trees, existing community usage, location of transport services and
connectivity to existing and proposed pathways.
Due to funding constraints, a footpath can only be constructed on one
side of the road. As such, two concept designs have been prepared, one for each
side of Murphys Avenue. Residents and users of the area are being asked to
indicate their preference for which side the footpath should be constructed and
to provide feedback on the proposal.
There
is an obvious well worn track on the north side that indicates the majority of
pedestrian traffic uses this side of the road, particularly with people walking to the university. Even with a new path constructed on the south side
it is likely that pedestrians will continue to use the worn track on the north
side.
Three trees may need to be removed from the north side. Tree removal on
the south side may be less likely however the character will change with the
path running along residential verges and across driveways. The path on the
south side will also be interrupted by crossing Rosedale Avenue, Braeside
Avenue and Grey Street.
Parking along the side of the street that the footpath is to be
constructed may be restricted while the
construction is underway. Every effort will be made to keep this inconvenience
to a minimum.
Provisions will be made to allow residents and their visitors to access
their properties. Traffic control may be required along Murphys Avenue during
construction.
How will Council make a decision about which option to implement?
Council will review the
community feedback and take into consideration pedestrian safety, costing of
the options and design factors.
Following Council’s consideration of the feedback, residents in the
immediate area will be advised by letter of the final plan for the footpath and
the schedule for the commencement of work.