By Joshua Wells
WHITTLESEA is one step closer to having the lights on Church Street upgraded with North Ward Councillor Tom Joseph set to move a motion to have $160,000 allocated to the township at tonight’s draft budget meeting.
The City of Whittlesea is meeting tonight to discuss the draft budget at council chambers where Cr Joseph confirmed to the Whittlesea Review he would move the motion.
NewsXpress owner and Whittlesea resident Robyn Ritchie said traders along Church Street were hoping the motion would pass tonight for the sake of their ‘unique’ community.
“New, upgraded lights would give us safety first and would allow people to cross the road at night and be seen,” she said.
“It would also allow for our junior staff to catch a bus home at night… we won’t have any young workers sitting at bus stops in the dark.
“If the motion doesn’t get passed, we would be severely disappointed because we want to see more consideration for the ‘uniqueness’ of our township.
“We are surrounded by the Green Wedge, we still have a country aspect to our town and we are very different to the rest of the municipality and these issues need to be considered.”
The lighting upgrade will see additional light poles placed between existing poles to increase the light levels.
A similar set up is being used in Laurimar.
Cr Joseph said lighting in the region was an ongoing issue and funding would be an important step forward.
“I will move a motion to have $160,000 in the budget to upgrade the lighting on Church Street, Whittlesea, and I hope to help increase security and help traders, in turn bringing a financial boost,” he said.
“It will give the town a facelift and will be a chance for community groups to utilise the street as well.
“This was one of the biggest concerns raised to me when I was campaigning to be elected onto council… I think what has happened, this is an issue ongoing for a number of years and previously council has failed to address this issue.”
I’m elated to see additional street lighting ($160,000 worth) approved along Church Street in Whittlesea after over a year of fighting for funding. Last year, I moved a motion for a feasibility study to receive information of the cost of this upgrade for this year’s budget.
I even spoke to the traders along Church Street and the organisers of Whittlesea Cruise Night (the lovely Terry and Elaine) to ask for their feedback last year and heard everyone’s overwhelming support of my motion. I thank all of the Councillors who supported me in approving this funding.
This will not only make our beautiful township a lot safer but it will also attract more customers to our small local businesses.
– Cr Emilia Lisa Sterjova, Deputy Mayor of Whittlesea