Cardinia Shire Council has unanimously backed a motion to address growing traffic and road safety concerns in Officer, following strong community calls for action amid rapid population growth and ongoing development.
All councillors unanimously backed a motion to address growing traffic and road safety concerns in Officer, following strong community calls for action amid rapid population growth and ongoing development.
Moved by Cr Samantha Jane Potter at the September 15 meeting, the motion requests a detailed report on traffic planning in the area.
The report will cover assessments of future arterial roads, traffic counts, advocacy work already undertaken, and opportunities to progress infrastructure delivery with the State Government.
The initiative will involve several council departments, including Major Projects, Infrastructure Services, and Community Infrastructure Delivery.
The motion responds directly to concerns raised by residents, reflecting the realities of daily life in Office.
Daily congestion worsens as trains, commuters, shoppers, and school children navigate Siding Avenue and Bridge Road during peak hours with Station Street closed.
Additional pressure on local roads is coming from ongoing developments in Western Port Ward and new housing and employment projects along Officer South Road.
There is further complexity in managing local roads due to the closure of Station Street, ongoing issues on Starling and Browns roads, and redirected truck traffic.
Population growth continues to affect traffic, with new houses being built to accommodate three to four families moving into the area each day.
Cr Potter warned these changes have created “layers of connected concerns and there’s more coming”.
“It’s very imperative that the infrastructure and environment team who look after our council roads and all the other teams aforementioned are primed, ready to take action when the opportunity arises.”
Cr Brett Owen said the council had understood community concerns from the start and had opposed the Station Street closure, but was unable to stop it.
“Council was disappointed when the Government decided to close Station Street to remove the level crossing,” he said.
“Our strategic documents, Officer Precinct Structure Plan, highlights the crossing should not be closed until the Government constructs the new arterial road from Baby Road, Princess Highway intersection to Officer South Road.”
