For 166 years, Gisborne residents have embraced the semi-rural nature of their town.
Valued for its village feel and open spaces, locals have fought against fast-food franchises and apartment-style housing in a bid to retain the town’s country vibe.
Now the prospect of traffic lights in the town is fuelling concern about its evolving character.
Due to safety concerns, VicRoads is planning to install lights at the intersection of Saunders and Station roads as part of an $8-$9 million upgrade it hopes will be funded in next year’s state budget.
Former councillor and police sergeant John Letchford is one of those fighting against traffic lights being installed in Gisborne.
Mr Letchford, who has taken courses in traffic management and analysis, agrees work is needed to improve safety at the intersection, particularly with the stream of trucks that use it daily.
“That intersection does need treatment – but not traffic lights,” he said.
The Gisborne resident said he had been observing the intersection at different times of the day and had seen barely any pedestrians. He noticed traffic surges only during evening peak.
He said he wanted to see the community involved in the decision to install traffic lights.
“There should be more community consultation on the alternatives,” he said. “We need an active and engaged community. Do they want to be part of suburbia?”
Other residents also resisted the idea of traffic lights in a Facebook group.
“Please, please, please don’t allow traffic lights in our beautiful little town!” one resident wrote. “Gisborne is our little getaway from the city and suburbia.”
Residents have called for an alternative to the lights, such as a roundabout.
“We don’t need traffic lights … put a roundabout in,” one local posted on Facebook.
However, many residents say traffic lights will allay safety concerns, accepting they were necessary to deal with increasing traffic.
“I mourn the country town we were, but with the traffic load now, I agree our suburb needs lights at this place,” a Facebook user commented.
“I’m all for traffic lights at that intersection,” said another.
Gisborne Roads and Transport Group chairman Russell Mowatt said the group looked forward to the state government funding the project in the next 2018-19 budget.
“Any investment to a design solution at this intersection will address a lot of safety issues and traffic management as a result of the growth in New Gisborne,” Mr Mowatt said.
“Over the next two to five years there will be approximately 24,000 vehicle movements a day on Station Road.
“This is based on projected figures by VicRoads during the previous consultation process for the duplication of Station Road.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said she would push to make the VicRoads plan a reality.
“Station Road is a heavy vehicle route, and with the local primary school, early learning centre and aged-care facility nearby, traffic lights will provide a safer crossing for pedestrians,” she said.
The plan also proposes a right-turn lane on Station Road and left-turn slip lanes.
Traffic lights have already penetrated the Macedon Ranges in Kyneton and Woodend.
From 2006-16, the estimated number of Gisborne residents increased 35.9 per cent, from 9823 to 13,345, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Independent demographic company .id estimates the population will soar to 20,379 residents by 2036.
