Council rings in tower changes

COUNCIL has paved the way for Richard Court’s bell tower plan for Barrack Square, should it be approved by Cabinet.

Council approved plans for a reworking of the Riverside Drive and Barrack Street intersection.

Within those plans is a mechanism to allow the excision of the Barrack Square Bell Tower site from the Mounts Bay Road Reserve. The intersection is to be widened by six metres on the Riverside Drive axis.

The roundabout in Barrack Square will be removed and replaced with separate entry and exit carriageways to make way for a bell tower. This means vehicles will no longer be able to circle Barrack Square.

A staff note to council said the Department of Land Administration had give verbal advice that Barrack Square was ultimately owned by the State Government. It said although the Department of Premier and Cabinet had suggested leasing a portion of Barrack Square from council for the bell tower, it was likely the DOLA view would prevail.

Council staff also indicated potential pedestrian versus cyclist conflicts at the intersection.