STAKEHOLDERS who have waited months for Orange City Council to decide on whether to implement a small park and a loading zone in McNamara Street had their answer on Tuesday night before it was again snatched away.
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Councillors approved plans for a loading zone on the street’s eastern side, in addition to shrubs, seating, a bike rack, lighting and kerb and guttering to stop people from parking on the footpath next to the all-day parking area.
However, councillor Kevin Duffy immediately foreshadowed a rescission motion, which means the matter will again have to be debated.
Councillor Russell Turner initially supported the staff recommendation, saying McNamara Street had changed and most businesses supported the proposal.
But Cr Duffy amended the recommendation to remove the park completely and put the loading zone in its place.
“[The design is] not bettering the businesses around the area,” he said.
Councillor Scott Munro said the eastern loading zone would not allow enough sight distance in bad weather.
“I can see a car being torn down the side by the forks [of the forklift],” he said.
Mayor John Davis pointed out the council only just had a quorum, with seven of the 12 councillors present, and a decision might not be indicative of the wishes of the full council, but he did not move a formal amendment.
Cr Turner rebuffed Cr Duffy’s comments, saying the proposed park site was regularly double parked and the practice would continue if it did not proceed.
“The park is meant to pretty up the street yet there are people walking through two rows of vehicles,” he said.
“The police support it, the RMS supports it – they agree it’s not perfect but they see this is the most workable and the safest situation.”
Cr Duffy’s amendment was lost and councillors approved the proposal, but his notice of rescission put the matter back to a fifth meeting.
The item was initially deferred in July and twice more in August before it returned to Tuesday’s meeting.