Gap Creek/Dillon Roads Upgrade - A GCA Perspective
The Gap Community Association is currently experiencing reluctance by the BCC to disclose details of a report of significant interest to residents of the Western Suburbs in relation to the sealing/upgrading of Gap Creek/Dillon roads.
The report by the BCC is now being considered by Councillors Geraldine Knapp, Margaret de Witt and Graham Quirk, however, we are told that despite the significant public interest, the report will not be made public.
This is despite the fact that last year over 3,500 local residents signed a petition that Gap Greek/Dillon Road should …stay as it is until such time as any Western Bypass is constructed
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Additionally, at a public meeting at the Ashgrove Golf Club in 2004, attended by over 100 people, a straw poll conducted on the night saw 70% of attendees wanting Gap Creek/Dillon Road to stay as is, 20% wanted the road shut down altogether and just 10% wanted the road to be upgraded.
The Gap Community Association sees both sides of the Gap Creek/Dillon Road issue. Yes, driving on an unsealed road places more wear and tear on your vehicle, makes your car dirty, driving becomes less comfortable etc. However, it is exactly because of these reasons that drivers are discouraged from using this route. It means The Gap has remained leafy and tranquil in character and has not become a ‘through’ suburb experiencing substantial traffic from nearby suburbs such as Ferny Grove or Kenmore.
Sealing Gap Creek/Dillon Road, which now attracts 2,000 vehicles a day, will inevitably attract hoards of new motorists and heavy transport wanting to utilise this route to avoid the gridlock of the non existent, so-called ‘Route 20′ along Coopers Camp Road/Jubilee Terrace, particularly to travel to/from the CBD during peak hour.
The added concern is that a sealed Gap Creek Road will then become the focus of renewed attention by the State Government, which is now looking at a route for its Western Bypass Motorway. A three-year study by the State Government at a cost of $10 million is shortly to commence in this regard.
The ‘leafy’, tranquil suburb of The Gap has always enjoyed the benefits of not being a ‘through suburb’, however, with an upgrade of Gap Creek/Dillon Road, a western bypass through The Gap will be established by default.
Long suffering residents of The Gap and Ashgrove are still recovering from five years of traffic chaos from the Waterworks Rd widening and to now be faced with the potential for significantly increased traffic flows along Dillon, Payne, Settlement & Waterworks Roads would be just unfair and an absolute act of ‘bastardry’.
We believe that the BCC should ‘cool off’ on upgrading Gap Creek/Dillon Roads until such time as the State Government completes its study into the need, or otherwise, for a Western Bypass Transport Route.
Tony Barker,
Chair, Gap Community Association (No Bypass through The Gap, sub-committee)