Push to remove Blue Lake path restrictions

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By Molly Taylor

A MOUNT Gambier councillor has unsuccessfully pushed to remove the one-way foot traffic directive along the Blue Lake’s Bay Road walking path.

Councillor Paul Jenner said the one-way directive along the 750-metre stretch on the lake’s western fringe was a source of confusion, with some signage being removed or damaged.

The Blue Lake exercise path was declared one-way only by council in April last year in response to concerns raised about the ability to social distance on narrow sections of the path, particularly on the Bay Road section.

Council reopened majority of the exercise path to two-way traffic in November – paving the way for the return of Mount Gambier parkrun – but a clockwise directive remains along the narrow Bay Road section.

Pushing to have the directive removed, Cr Jenner asked whether there was any law or act which made the one-way restriction necessary.

Acting chief executive Barbara Cernovskis stated there was not but noted the approach was considered best for public safety.

“It is something we are regularly reviewing and it has been in response to concerns from the community,” Ms Cernovskis said.

“It is about the challenge on how we can assist people in maintaining that social distancing…That is the most logical solution we could come up with.

“The tight spaces still remain a concern for people and we just want to monitor that. We will be doing updates in accordance to health directives.”

Cr Jenner said council needed to act given there was no legal requirement and he had heard complaints within the community.

“It has been up and it’s done its job, but the community are complaining and we need to listen to our community,” Cr Jenner said.

Cr Jenner requested an amendment to a motion to remove the one-way signage but it did not meet the required criteria under the motion, with the councillor asked to consider presenting a motion at next month’s council meeting.