Input sought on location of Warragul taxi rank

Local traders and residents can now have their say on their preferred location for the Warragul taxi rank by selecting their preference from 4 available options. 

In 2020, Council received requests from Warragul shop owners and taxi operators to consider relocating the taxi rank on Smith Street to a different site. An investigation was undertaken to address the requests and a report containing the investigation’s findings and recommendations was presented to Council at a Council Meeting on 27 May 2020.  

One of the recommendations was to seek feedback about a proposal to relocate the existing Warragul CBD taxi rank to Napier Street, Warragul, specifically the north side of Napier Street immediately west of the Victoria Street/Napier Street/Palmerston Street roundabout).  

The process had been delayed due to the ongoing impacts of COVID. However, Council has recently been able to re-initiate the project and officers have undertaken further investigations, including capturing and reviewing CCTV footage of parking activities occurring at both the existing Smith Street site and the proposed Napier Street site. 

Based on these further investigations, Council is now presenting four options and would like to know which of these options is preferred by local traders and residents:  

Option 1: No change to the existing taxi rank and loading bays.  

Option 2: Remove one loading bay and one car parking space on Napier Street and replace them with two taxi bays. Provide two new car parking spaces on Smith Street.  

Option 3: Remove one loading bay on Napier Street and replace it with one taxi bay. Provide one new car parking space on Smith Street.  

Option 4: Remove both loading bays on Napier Street and replace them with two taxi bays. Provide two new car parking spaces on Smith Street.  

Local traders and business owners have also been notified of this important feedback opportunity by post and hand-delivered letters. 

The valuable feedback gathered will be collated and presented to Council during a meeting later this year.  

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe  "The relocation of the Warragul CBD taxi rank is an important decision that will directly impacts our local businesses and taxi operators. We want to ensure that the final decision takes into account the needs and interests of all stakeholders involved. Your participation is crucial, and we encourage everyone to visit our 'Have Your Say' webpage and complete the online survey by June 9th. Together, we can find a solution that most effectively serves our community.”