Council
26 February, 2025
Community feedback leads to pedestrian crossings changes in Horsham CBD
Wombat crossings removed on McLachlan and Firebrace streets roundabout.
Council
Horsham
Following community consultation, trial pedestrian crossings at the McLachlan and Firebrace Street roundabout have been removed by Horsham Rural City Council.
At its meeting on Monday, February 24, the council resolved to remove the eight crossing points at the roundabout's approaches and exits.
This comes after the council fielded 120 detailed survey responses through the Engage Horsham platform during a consultation period in 2024.
Mayor Ian Ross thanked people who provided feedback.
"We as councillors heard from the community on how the functionally of these crossings was impacting our local businesses and communities," Cr Ross said.
"There is a fine line between functionality and safety and from listening to you, we believe we have got the balance correct.
"Thank you to everyone who wrote to us, spoke to us or even called to share your thoughts."
The 'wombat crossings' were installed in June 2024 in what was a six-month pilot.
During the pilot, the council received numerous amounts of community feedback before reaching a final verdict.
While submissions showed there was good community backing for other permanent pedestrian crossings in the city, residents did not support the rubber pin-down speed humps located at the roundabout.
As well as at the mid-block crossing in Firebrace Street between Roberts Avenue and McLachlan Street.
A main concern was the additional height of the crossings, which made it difficult for individuals with wheelchairs or other mobility aids to access the areas.
At the Firebrace Street mid-block crossing, the speed humps have been removed, but the crossing will stay, with painted lines remaining on the pavement.
The crossings stemmed from the Horsham Central Activity District Revitalisation Streetscape plan that was adopted in 2022.
The document contained 15 projects for Horsham's centre.