Street talk: Swanston Street

In April 2009 the community was invited to participate in the Melbourne City Council’s most extensive consultation for 2008–09, the Swanston Street community engagement program. Users of Swanston Street were provided with seven options for the street’s future development and asked to comment through online discussion and direct submission.

More than 5,000 people, and organisations such as Metlink and RMIT University, responded to the council’s call for comment. The majority of respondents favoured less vehicle traffic in the street and the results will be used in 2009–10 to further refine options for Swanston Street’s future.

Making it easier to get around the city

In April 2009 the City of Melbourne improved the flow of bicycle traffic in the city’s main spine, Swanston Street, by working with stakeholders including the Victorian Bus Association. Tour bus companies received notice to relocate bus operations from the street to Federation Square. Traffic alterations and infrastructure works by the City of Melbourne supported this move.

The City of Melbourne’s 2008 Bicycle Account Cycling Census found bicycle traffic in the city increased significantly on the previous year, up 43 per cent with an average 6,800 cyclists now riding into the city from 7am to 10am each day.

New bridges and other initiatives to promote the safe and efficient flow of vehicles, public transport, bicycles and pedestrians added to the city’s accessibility in 2008–09. A new pedestrian and bicycle bridge was completed across the Yarra River connecting the north and south banks near the new Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The City of Melbourne contributed $11.2 million with a further $5.9 million allocated in 2009–10 to this project.

Works on the Manningham Street (Parkville) pedestrian and bicycle bridge were also substantially completed at a cost of $2.3 million.

The City of Melbourne, with its Inner Melbourne Action Plan partners, worked to upgrade bicycle connections across the inner region and manufactured ‘wayfinding’ signs for pedestrians and public transport users for installation across the region in early 2009–10. Traffic light changes were also implemented at 20 demonstration sites across inner Melbourne to improve pedestrian safety.

Ensuring mobility and access for people with a disability is important for the efficient movement of people around a city. In 2008–09 the Melbourne City Council approved ongoing funding for the Melbourne Mobility Centre. The centre provides mobility equipment and access to city facilities for around 400 people a month and this year included a satellite service at the popular Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.

In addition, the City of Melbourne’s Metro Access program provided grants to support access for around 1,000 people to events celebrating International Day of Persons with a Disability. The Melbourne Gift, a race for people with disabilities, proved extremely popular and this event will now be incorporated into Melbourne’s annual calendar of recreation events.
A new school crossing coordinator position was created by the City of Melbourne in 2008–09 to help keep children safe on their journey to and from school. The position manages the school crossing program, freeing up enforcement staff resources for other traffic management duties.

Four primary schools volunteered to host our popular school crossing safety education program in the second half of the year.