The City of Joondalup has been looking at options to manage traffic around Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly at Christmas time.
Camera IconThe City of Joondalup has been looking at options to manage traffic around Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly at Christmas time. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Joondalup to manage traffic around Connolly and Duncraig Christmas light displays

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

ILLUMINATED message boards will be used to manage traffic at two major Christmas light displays in Connolly and Duncraig.

Earlier this year, Joondalup councillor Sophie Dwyer requested a report on options to manage traffic in these areas to minimise the risks between pedestrians and vehicles.

A report presented to the council last month said other issues included parking, noise, damage to verges, and access and exit issues for residents.

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It said the City had received complaints over several years with these concerns and also in response to the council’s attempts to manage these impacts.

Christmas lights at Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly. Facebook
Camera IconChristmas lights at Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly. Facebook Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“It has been suggested the City is inhibiting the opportunity for people, in particular children, to experience the displays, has not been acting in the Christmas spirit, that charity fundraising opportunity is being impacted and the City should be more accommodating of community-driven Christmas light displays,” it said.

The City has 14 main areas that display lights, with the largest at Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly, which has been running since 1997.

In 2012, the City introduced temporary parking signs to reinforce the rule visitors should not park on footpaths.

They have since been installed, from December 1 to 30, with rangers patrolling from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

Last year, the City also installed temporary traffic control barriers to provide a physical barrier to prevent unsafe parking.

But they were removed soon after in response to resident complaints.

The temporary traffic control barriers installed in 2017. Facebook
Camera IconThe temporary traffic control barriers installed in 2017. Facebook Credit: Supplied/Supplied

A light display in Samson Court, Duncraig, has increased in popularity, with the City using message board signs for the first time last year to remind drivers not to park on median strips.

The report said the City researched six other local governments with a large amount of Christmas light displays.

“Based on the responses… it is apparent there is no real local government management of Christmas light displays being provided,” it said.

“It appears to be either not considered an issue or there is a reluctance to be involved.”

The City considered four options including not providing any management, continuing with the methods it had previously used and providing and managing alternative parking at nearby parks.

However, for Prairie Dunes Place, City officers recommended using message board signs to provide parking advice with a temporary speed limit of 40km/h and to continue installing the temporary parking signs.

Christmas lights at Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly. Facebook
Camera IconChristmas lights at Prairie Dunes Place in Connolly. Facebook Credit: Supplied/Supplied

For Samson Court, they also recommended use of the message board signs.

City officers suggested rangers should only attend in response to complaints because the patrols were not sustainable at an estimated cost of $11,700 for last year alone.

Councillors unanimously agreed to the traffic plan near festive light displays.