Proposed Pedestrian Refuge Yankalilla

Council has been asked by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) to engage with our community and seek feedback on their proposal for a pedestrian refuge located on Main South Road in front of the Yankalilla Foodland and Browse in and Save near Bungala Street Yankalilla.

Council often hears of the communities desire for improved safety for pedestrians at this location. The pedestrian refuge is the solution proposed by DIT for a range of reasons detailed below.

Background:

Main South Road is under the care and control of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT).

In 2015 a petition was presented to the Minister for Road Safety for the “installation of pedestrian lights” in Yankalilla.

Following a pedestrian and vehicle survey DIT provided Council with a Concept plan for the installation of a pedestrian refuge in 2019 (see attached plan) together with the following clarifications.

• The survey indicated high pedestrian activity, however there wasn’t enough traffic to warrant a Pedestrian Actuated Crossing (PAC) (i.e. pedestrian lights).
• Consequently, the department would not nominate a PAC for funding and even if nominated would certainly be a lower priority than many other sites across the State.
• As an alternative option and to improve pedestrian safety a refuge was also investigated. It was found that a refuge will deliver improved safety outcomes and will not affect street parking as much a PAC would, therefore less impact on businesses.
• There is currently no funding for any work at this location.
• Prior to any funding bid being submitted for a refuge, consultation will need to be undertaken to determine the community and Councils support for the project.

Snapshot of our community:

• Population: 5,478
• People aged 60+: 2,059 (38%)
• People needing assistance due to disability: 326 (6.3%)
• Carers: 617 (13.9%)

ABS Census 2016

Feedback Needed:

We are seeking feedback from businesses, residents and visitors to the area on DIT’s proposal to install a pedestrian refuge. Council staff have personally visited the business operators in the area to discuss the concept and get their feedback along with writing letters to all the affected property owners.

We now want to hear from the general community, please tell us if you support the proposal or not by completing the survey below, or email consultation@yankalilla.sa.gov.au or write to the District Council of Yankalilla, 1 Charles Street Yankalilla SA 5203.

The feedback will be presented to the District Council of Yankalilla’ s Elected Member who will decide the recommendation that will go to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport that there is or is not community support for installation of the proposed pedestrian refuge.