Seacliff residents may have to fight to park outside of their home, a report states

A seaside council will explore slashing carparks used by beachgoers near a popular foreshore to stop two backstreets being used as ‘raceways’ for speeding cars.

A seaside council could explore the removal of up to 24 parking spaces near a popular foreshore to calm speeding traffic in the area.

The City of Holdfast Bay will explore a preliminary design and detailed costing that could see both Waratah Street and Myrtle Road at Seacliff have parking condensed to make way for urban greening opportunities.

A report tabled with the council highlights a number of options to increase urban greening and calm traffic along the two popular backstreets.

Study area of Waratah Street and Myrtle Road. Pic: City of Holdfast Bay Council

“Both Waratah Street and Myrtle Road are narrow roads with very limited room for street trees in the verge,” the report said.

“There is a relatively high base-load of parking demand along both Myrtle Road and Waratah

Street that is evidenced by the number of vehicles parked on-street at any given time.

“Any changes to the road resulting in a reduction of parking bays will increase demand and

competition for the parking left available.”

Single Lane Slow Points example – Waratah St. Pic: City of Holdfast Bay

Councillor Claire Lindop said a number of residents have approached her over beautifying the streets and hoping for traffic calming.

“The complication of those streets are the underground and overhead utilities which make this really complex,” she said.

“I am excited to do some greening and cooling in the urban design … it’s an opportunity to beautify those streets and stop those race ways forming.

“Some residents have been all for it and some have been against losing the car parks.”

Holdfast Bay Councillor Claire Lindop.

Council could choose to adopt a ‘staggered’ parking effect that could see 16 parks deleted but no opportunity to enhance urban greening.

The other option would see council endorse single lane slow points along both streets with an estimated 24 parks to be deleted.

“Community consultation will be required to be undertaken for all options as part of the design process to inform the final decision as loss of on-street parking is expected to be a significant issue.”

The report also highlights if either plans are adopted, a calming to local traffic through the streets would also be beneficial.

According to the report, more than 500 cars use Myrtle Rd a day, while 1000 use Waratah Street.

The report identifies that Waratah Street currently warrants traffic calming measures, however activity to restrict speeds on the street would likely result in increased use and speed of vehicles along Myrtle Road, and therefore measures should be considered for both roads collectively.

The council endorsed the report and will discuss the issue further in the coming months.