The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is taking a fair approach to considering the future use of the new Festival Precinct zone on Fearn Avenue, whilst acknowledging strong community sentiment to make the area car free.
Original commitments to open the new one-way street through Fearn Avenue to vehicles from Monday 15 March have been honoured.
The Shire confirmed it has a plan to closely monitor how the area functions, enabling a fair and informed basis for any potential changes.
To assist users in transitioning to the shared use space, bunting has been positioned as a visual reminder to guide pedestrians and traffic management will be in place.
Shire Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Addison-Brown said the needs of all users would be given due consideration.
"The area was designed and built as a shared use space as part of the Margaret River Main Street Makeover," she said.
"A delay in retractable bollards arriving, meant the area couldn't be opened to traffic when the rest of the Main Street opened before Christmas last year.
"Whilst we do understand a large number of users are loving the space without vehicles, it would be unfair and remiss of the Shire to simply change plans overnight, without seeing how the shared use area works and having solutions in place for delivery access and business access to private parking.
...it would be unfair and remiss of the Shire to change plans overnight...
- Stephanie Addison-Brown
"The area will be monitored in the coming months, and we'll keep everyone updated on the next steps," she said.
A speed limit of 10 kilometres an hour will apply through this shared use area.Drivers are asked to keep to the speed limit.
Pedestrians are asked to give way to cars in this area.
