Council to withdraw from service station purchase

Earlier this year, Council officers submitted a non-binding Expression of Interest (EOI) for the purchase of the land at 1-3 Anderson Street, Bright.  

This property was considered for its potential to alleviate future congestion at the intersections of Gavan Street with Anderson Street and Star Road. 

Community consultation on the EOI took place from February to March 2024, garnering a total of 83 contributions.  

The feedback was divided, with slightly more participants opposing the purchase than supporting it. 

Alpine Shire Mayor, John Forsyth, said after careful consideration and community feedback, Council had decided not to pursue the purchase of the property. 

"One of the primary considerations in the decision was the financial burden associated with the preferred intersection upgrade option, a four-way roundabout, which was estimated to cost at least $5 million," he said. 

"Regional Roads Victoria indicated that state funding for such an upgrade is unlikely, meaning the cost would fall entirely on the Council." 

Cr Forsyth said the intersection study conducted earlier this year also revealed that the intersections of Gavan Street with Anderson Street and Star Road currently operate under 'Excellent' and 'Very Good' conditions, respectively.  

"The study indicated that these intersections are expected to continue functioning well into the future without immediate upgrades," he said. 

"Additionally, the site currently hosts a service station and a café, presenting complexities and potential liabilities in managing these businesses and the underlying infrastructure during the planning and development phases. 

"The financial and operational risks associated with this purchase were considerable. 

"Given the current satisfactory operation of the intersections and the significant cost of the proposed upgrades, proceeding with this acquisition is not in the best interest of the community." 

While Council has decided against the property purchase, it remains committed to improving local infrastructure and addressing traffic concerns.  

Short-term solutions will be explored to enhance pedestrian connectivity, manage vehicle turning movements, and improve overall traffic flow at the intersections. 

Council will also incorporate urban design principles provided by Regional Roads Victoria into the future structure planning process to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety in Bright.