Increased Parking Options
During 2021 Council has been investigating several options to increase the number of carparks within the centre of Robe. These discussions have been held in line with our Four-Year Business Plan. The options considered have ranged from infrastructure change to behavioural change (e.g., timed parking).
Council wishes to consult with community on two options, both of which (should they proceed) will provide up to 47 additional carparks off Victoria Street. Overall there would be a 56 percent increase in the number of carparks at the proposed location.
Option 1: In partnership with the Robe Primary School, we have developed a new parking and school access off Squires drive that will provide new permanent carparks via:
- A new 12 vehicle carpark in the Southeast corner of the school oval area, to service the Kindy, Childcare and school; and
- A kiss and drop lane parallel to Squires Drive for the school, this will also reduce traffic in and out of Union St north on school days. This lane out of school hours provides nine vehicle parks.
This new parking infrastructure, if constructed, would be used by the school during the school year and would be available for visitors, town workers and residents outside the school year. The design provides 21 carparks and has been presented to the school Council.
Option 2: is the conversion of parallel carparks to angle carparks in three streets off Victoria Street:
- Union Street - South;
- Elizabeth Street; and
- Smillie Street
And changes to Royal Circus.
This would require one-way connections to Main Street. Design work (see below) has been underway since September, and includes options to make the changes:
- 2.1 - permanent; or
- 2.2 - semi-permanent (i.e., installed for the peak period) using removable kerb systems.
The idea of one-way entry and exits at Union (south), Elizabeth, Smillie and Royal Circus has been discussed with Robe Tourism Association and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (Victoria Street is a State Road, not Council).
There is a need to further review Union Street (south) as there appears to be a new driveway, which will reduce 2-3 carparks, and there is also the option to make the full length of the street one way which could further increase parking, and or provide opportunity for parklets or outstands for seating.
Overall, the proposed designs currently will result in 47 additional carparks if one-way streets with angle parking are installed. When combined with the Squires Drive option, there is a potential to create 68 additional parks in the main centre of Robe.
Should these options progress, Council also intends to reduce a number on parks in main street to provide formal loading zones both sides (this will reduce traffic congestion during the busy period) and provides the opportunity to consider temporary parklets for additional tables and chairs (to free up the footpath for pedestrians).
We invite your feedback on the proposed designs for additional carparks in Robe. Printed copies of the proposals are available from the Council Office or the Robe Library and Visitor Information Centre. To view the plans go to the https://www.robe.sa.gov.au/. Consultation is open from 23 December 2021 and closes on the 4 February 2022 at 5.00 pm.
Submissions can be mailed to the District Council of Robe, PO Box 1, Robe SA 5276 or by emailing council@robe.sa.gov.au.
Click here to view the proposed designs.