Extension of Clearways
The Brumby Government imposed an extension of clearway times on local communities from the end 2008. This extended clearway hours from 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. until 7.00 p.m. within a 10-kilometre radius of the central business district, regardless of the views of local communities, retailers and councils.
These clearway extensions would have a massive impact on small business as well as affecting the ambience of strip shopping centres and the neighbourhood character of some of these shopping centres.
In August 2008 David Davis wrote letters to all affected councils – Banyule, Bayside, Boroondara, City of Melbourne, Darebin, Glen Eira, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra – asking each of them to advise him of their formal position on the State Government’s plan. Click here to view letter to Councils re clearways.
In the Legislative Council on 1 April 2008, David moved that documents relating to the Victorian state government’s policy of extending clearway times be tabled. Copies of these documents were then forwarded to the affected councils in Southern Metropolitan Region.
David Davis raised the issue in the Legislative Council on 29 May 2008 and on 12 June 2008 .
This campaign on behalf of local councils, small businesses and residents has met with some success with the government being forced to reduce the total clearway times, depending on location, by 60 or 90 minutes each day. The modified hours are 6.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. in the mornings and 3.30 p.m. or 4.00 p.m. until 7.00 p.m.
