NORTHERN Midlands Council will not remove the five concrete planter boxes and two yellow bollards that were installed as safety devices, on the intersection of Wellington and Marlborough streets, Longford, in the short term.
At the council meeting last Monday, attended by 25 members of the public, a motion by Cr Dick Adams requested that “Council remove the concrete blocks around Sticky Beaks corner and replace them with black bollards similar to the ones already existing outside the town hall or similar to the many around Launceston undertaking similar building protection.”
However it was voted down 3-5. Cr Adams was voicing community concerns that the crash protection barriers were not in keeping with the heritage values of the area, they were too tall and not evenly spaced and blocked visibility of traffic travelling north down Marlborough St. Council officers will prepare a report for councillors and the matter will be discussed in the New Year, including the requirements of State Growth for all bollards to be yellow on roads that it manages. Social media has seen a variety of opinions and complaints expressed about the heritage corner and the planter boxes, despite the project not being completed – with metal cut-out screens and low hanging plants yet to be installed.
“Many people are concerned about this and what councillors have presented to a heritage corner. They are also concerned about the advice we received from the heritage officer on the landscaping and streetscaping of Longford,” Cr Adams said.
Cr Richard Archer pointed out that two serious accidents had occurred on the corner in recent times – the last one resulting in a car partially demolishing the front of the Sticky Beaks Cafe. “We have to consider public safety … I disagree with the comments that there has been nothing there for 90 years therefore nothing is needed. “If a truck came around the corner and something happened once we removed the bollards I’m not sure what our legal position would be.” “It’s not like we’re demolishing a heritage building – we need to leave the boxes there until we get some sort of legal decision.”
Cr Alison Andrews supported Cr Adams, saying not only does the safety of pedestrians and diners need to be paramount, but it was council’s responsibility to look after an important building in the heart of the town. She also said that one of the original building owners, Mr Howlett, had suggested blocking off the corner entrance to Wellington St and that there was community sentiment that this idea should be considered as an alternative.
Cr Matthew Brooks added that six months ago when the plan was advertised there was not a single representation from the community. Speaking from the gallery local resident Annette Aldersea spoke passionately against the use of the concrete blocks and two yellow bollards in front of the cafe.
“Council’s interim planning scheme states developments in heritage precincts shouldn’t adversely impact the character of a streetscape – clearly this project is at odds with that,” she said. Mayor Mary Knowles read a written representation from the property’s owners, who requested the works in 2019 to protect the building and pedestrians.
“This is a serious and costly matter in which no error has been demonstrated, while the finished products is yet to be observed, as such this motion has the hallmarks of being a kneejerk reaction to years of planning.”
Community dissatisfaction with streetscaping has been an ongoing issue for the council, with bollards outside the Longford Library removed through public pressure, beautification plans for the main street being heavily criticised by cyclists and road users in large vehicles and now the maintenance of the heritage look and feel of the Sticky Beaks corner.