Cyclists win at Kempton Street

Councillors decided not to proceed with a controversial T-junction modification at the corner Kempton and Hosken Streets at Tuesday’s City of Greater Geraldton council meeting.

A veritable peloton of about 20 people attended public question time.

Six cycling supporters asked questions for 30 minutes before Councillors spent a further 49 minutes debating the fate of the Bluff Point intersection.

The City was set to proceed with the modification and two chicanes to slow motorists using Kempton Street as an alternative to Chapman Road during Primary Schools drop off and pick up times.

However cyclists presented a petition asking Council to reconsider, as they said the modification would be a dangerous obstacle to triathletes who regularly used Kempton Street as a cycle racing course.

Cr Steve Douglas moved an alternative motion to install the two chicanes on Kempton Street and monitor their effect before deciding whether or not to proceed with a T-junction modification.

Cr Natasha Colliver seconded the motion which councillors debated for 22 minutes before Cr Robert Hall moved to amend the motion to include the T-junction modification.

He did this because the Mayor said State law would forbid Council to consider installing the chicanes again for three months, should the motion fail.

Cr Peter Fiorenza seconded this amendment and councillors debated it for six minutes before Deputy mayor Tarleah Thomas moved a “gag” motion to cease discussion.

Cr Jerry Clune seconded the gag motion which was carried 9-3.

They then put the amendment to include the modified T-junction which had equal numbers of Councillors voting for and against it, with the Mayor exercising his casting vote to defeat it.

Councillors then voted 9-3 to accept the original motion, with Councillors Butch Parker, David Caudwell and Robert Hall voting against it.

As a result Kempton Street will now have two chicanes installed.