By ANTHONY RADFORD

THE City of Greater Bendigo council is considering giving pedestrians a permanent right of way near one of the city’s busiest road intersections.
As part of the council’s push to create a more pedestrian-friendly city, it is considering allowing pedestrians to have full-time precedence at or near the corner of Nolan and McCrae streets, near Lake Weeroona.
The plan would mean cars would have to stop for pedestrians crossing at the intersection at all times.
The plan was the result of a report the councillors received at a recent behind-closed-doors meeting, written by the architect of the city’s Walk Bendigo strategy, Rod Tolley.
The report, titled Safe Priority Walking and Cycling Routes in Greater Bendigo, recommends extending the controversial principles of Walk Bendigo to other parts of the city, to encourage safer cycling and walking.
Council Presentation and Assets director Jos Duivenvoorden, who has given up his company car and walks and rides to and from work, said the issue of putting pedestrians before cars in the pecking order was one he was opening for debate.
“One of the ideas is we want to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists on Nolan Street near the lake,” he said.
“We all should have equal rights on and off the road. Why do only cars have rights everywhere we go?” he said.