COMMUNITY members have rallied for Chandos Street to return to two-way traffic, as Gunnedah Shire Council discusses a proposal to investigate costs to reverse the decision.
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The notice of motion by councillor Rob Hooke included costings to leave the current dual-parking arrangements in place on the western side and change the eastern side to 45-degree reverse angle parking.
Affected shire residents and business operators met on Tuesday morning to talk about the impact the one-way street has had.
Spokesman and Kelvin resident Jeff King said community opinion broadly opposed the changes.
“This meeting is not abut numbers, if it was, there would be 200 to 300 people here,” Mr King said.
“It's about showing there's representation across the community that is affected by this street being made one-way – from car dealers to rural suppliers, food retailers, clothing and footwear outlets, and farmers from Kelvin.
“It affects local business, local farmers, mothers and children coming to town, the general dynamics of people driving around town.”
Orange Grove Road resident Phil Glover estimated the street changes added an extra 4-500 kilometres per year to his regular trips into town.
He labelled the Bloomfield-Chandos street intersection downright “dangerous” as parked semi-trailers often obscured view of through traffic.
Mr Glover made his feelings known two years ago about the traffic changes and was still “quite concerned”.
Also to voice their disapproval at the street changing to one-way in 2014, was Terry Hopkins from Terry’s Pizza in Gunnedah.
His fast-food business relied on efficient customer service which Chandos Street did not allow.
“My delivery drivers when they go out to Kelvin road they all have to do a lap around town before they get back to my shop,” Mr Hopkins said. “And time is money.”
Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president Michael Broekman attended Tuesday’s meeting to gauge the feeling among business operators.
He encouraged those affected to make representations to local councillors so accurate, informed decisions could be made.
The costings to change Chandos Street back to two-way traffic were requested to be available for council’s December ordinary meeting. Last month, council hosted an information workshop about the traffic changes to benefit the new councillors.
