Road conversion plans axed but Subiaco business owners remain unfazed

MAKING Hay Street and Roberts Road two-way has been left out of the plans for Subi East but business owners aren’t “disappointed”.

City of Subiaco’s push for the road conversion and a Cultural Facility at Subiaco Oval has been squashed by the State Government who recently released its Subi East Business Case Summary.

The business case foreshadows what will be included in the Subi East Master Plan with inclusions ranging from job creation, green spaces and protection of the Subiaco Heritage Gates, the Sandover Medal Walk and Subiaco Oval.

Baguette Me Not owner Luanne Balaba said that as a resident and business owner, she didn’t believe Hay Street would be better as a two way road.

Hay Street’s The Bridal Garden owner Soosee Lee said the conversion would not make a “big difference” to the flow of traffic as business was “quiet”.

Golden Choice Fresh Market manager Yen Hoang said while a two way-road conversion of Roberts Road could be useful when the Pavilion Market development was complete, she was “not disappointed” by its exclusion.

However, Raimonds owner Raimond Castellano, who’s business has fronted Hay Street for 24 years, said the conversion could potentially boost business clientele.

“It’s a big loop having to go right around – I have customer’s often look for the store, pass it and have to go three blocks down to get back to Hay Street which turns a lot of people off and makes it difficult so maybe changing the structure will correct all that,” he said.

Subiaco Mayor Penny Taylor said the City would continue to seek Government funding for the two-way road conversion, which was “essential to the success of the Subi East Redevelopment”.

“The two roads becoming two way would improve public transport access, create people oriented streets that are friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce vehicle speeds and crash severity, provide greater route choice, and reduce local trip times,” she said.

Ms Taylor said the City would also continue to pursue the opportunity for a cultural space at Subi East.