Scooters And One Wheels

Port Fairy Sackville Road No canine or scooters in group fingers after a detailed vote in Moyne Shire Council | The usual

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A plan to ban dogs, scooters and skateboards from Port Fairy’s main drag is in the hands of the community after city councils narrowly agreed to seek public feedback. But three councilors voted strongly against the proposal, calling it “ridiculous” and “genuinely misguided” after community concerns had gained momentum ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting. Moyne Shire Council will be seeking feedback on a plan to amend a local law that may ban dogs and “toy vehicles” from Sackville Street between the Bank and Cox Streets every Christmas Eve through Easter Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each year. The ban could also extend to Bank Street between Princes and James Streets. Cr James Purcell, a dog owner with grandchildren, urged a dog restrictions review in April and said he was concerned about safety. “If I have the choice of having a dog on the street or having one of my grandchildren injured by an animal, I know what I’m going to do,” he said. Trev Greenberger, the council’s infrastructure and environment director, said at the meeting that officials had centered the issue with a possible ban on scooters, skateboards and rollerblades based on similar community concerns. “We are also taking this opportunity to address an issue raised in the community, particularly with regard to toy vehicles,” he said. “They are separate; people can support one or the other.” City councilors Jordan Lockett, Karen Foster and Ian Smith, however, opposed the plan, raising concerns about the restriction of rights and damage to the city’s reputation. “It’s about changing a local law that would limit people’s ability to do something they’ve been doing for generations,” said Cr Lockett, showing off a pink scooter as a prop while remotely from home spoke. “We are in the midst of a pandemic that has taken away our fundamental rights for our own public safety … He suggested that there were less restrictive ways to improve safety on the high street. Cr Ian Smith said the plan sent a message that Port Fairy was “anti-dogs and anti-children”. Cr Foster pointed out Port Fairy’s proud history of Dachshund and Sheepdog events and that Moyne has more than 100 “pet-friendly” vacation rentals. “I don’t see why we should punish the vast majority for the behavior of a small minority,” she said. But Cr Daniel Meade did not believe that soliciting feedback would damage the reputation of the council. “I am very keen to hear from the public and also from tourists,” he said. Cr Damian Gleeson said the council had responded to serious complaints earlier this year. “We don’t sit around in the office just developing ideas to move our constituents,” he said. “That was raised with us.” Cr Jim Doukas also assisted in obtaining feedback on the change in local law. Have you signed up for The Standard’s daily newsletter and breaking news email? You can register below and keep up to date with everything that’s happening in the Southwest.

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A plan to ban dogs, scooters and skateboards from Port Fairy’s main drag is in the hands of the community after city councils narrowly agreed to seek public feedback.

But three councilors voted strongly against the proposal, calling it “ridiculous” and “genuinely misguided” after community concerns had gained momentum ahead of Tuesday’s council meeting.

Moyne Shire Council will be seeking feedback on a plan to amend a local law that may ban dogs and “toy vehicles” from Sackville Street between the Bank and Cox Streets every Christmas Eve through Easter Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each year.

The ban could also extend to Bank Street between Princes and James Streets.

Cr James Purcell, a dog owner with grandchildren, urged a dog restrictions review in April and said he was concerned about safety.

“If I have the choice of having a dog on the street or having one of my grandchildren injured by an animal, I know what I’m going to do,” he said.

KEEP OUT: Port Fairy is famous for the dachshund prank.

Trev Greenberger, the council’s infrastructure and environment director, said at the meeting that officials had centered the issue with a possible ban on scooters, skateboards and rollerblades based on similar community concerns.

“We are also taking this opportunity to address an issue raised in the community, particularly with regard to toy vehicles,” he said.

“They are separate; people can support one or the other.”

City councilors Jordan Lockett, Karen Foster and Ian Smith, however, opposed the plan, raising concerns about the restriction of rights and damage to the city’s reputation.

GONE: Cr Jordan Lockett told the council meeting on Tuesday that he had never felt stronger than voting against any council item.

“It’s about changing a local law that would limit people’s ability to do something they’ve been doing for generations,” said Cr Lockett, showing off a pink scooter as a prop while remotely from home spoke.

“We are in the midst of a pandemic that has taken our fundamental rights away for our own public safety …

He suggested that there were less restrictive ways to improve safety on the main road.

Cr Ian Smith said the plan sent a message that Port Fairy was “anti-dogs and anti-children”.

Cr Foster pointed out Port Fairy’s proud history of Dachshund and Sheepdog events and that Moyne has more than 100 “pet-friendly” vacation rentals.

“I don’t see why we should punish the vast majority for the behavior of a small minority,” she said.

AFFECTED: Cr. James Purcell first raised concerns about dogs on Sackville Street with the city council.

But Cr Daniel Meade did not believe that soliciting feedback would damage the reputation of the council.

“I am very keen to hear from the public and also from tourists,” he said.

Cr Damian Gleeson said the council had responded to serious complaints earlier this year.

“We don’t sit around in the office just developing ideas to move our constituents,” he said.

“That was raised with us.”

Cr Jim Doukas also assisted in obtaining feedback on the change in local law.

Have you signed up for The standards daily newsletter and emails with the latest news? You can register below and keep up to date with everything that’s happening in the Southwest.

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