Charles Street is a small north-south residential street in Richmond, just north-east of the intersection of Swan Street and Church Street.

Image credit: Streets Alive Yarra and Open Street Maps

This page is written by Cathy, the local champion for Charles Street.

My name is Cathy Austin.  I’m mum to Patrick, who is nearly 4.  I live in Charles Street Richmond and have lived here for the last 6 or so years.

Have you seen playingout.net?  It is an idea from the United Kingdom (UK) where street residents organise for regular but short road closures to allow kids to play outside under supervision.  Parents have to look after their own children and some adults may have to do traffic management jobs.

I think it would be a good idea for Charles Street.  We could close Charles Street at Elm Grove, Parker Street and George St. This is marked as the blue zone in the image below. I thought it might be best to do it during quiet times – like Saturday or Sunday afternoons.

Image credit: Streets Alive Yarra and Open Street Maps

We need to discuss it with the Council to make it as streamlined as possible but if you think it is a good idea, could you like Streets Alive Yarra on Facebook? You can also contact me via the Streets Alive Yarra contact page.

Play Streets Australia

Further information is also available from Play Streets Australia.

Play Australia

1000 Play Streets is a national movement to help Australians reclaim their local streets and bring back street play, resulting in more active, socially connected and ultimately happier communities.

Image credit: Play Australia

Example from Port Phillip

Play Streets are highlighted in the Integrated Transport Strategy from the City of Port Phillip:

Image credit: City of Port Phillip

Local champion

Your local champion for Charles Street is Cathy Austin – Yarra resident   View all of Streets Alive Yarra’s champions on our supporters page.

I’m mum to Patrick, who is nearly 4. I support the playingout.net idea from the United Kingdom (UK) where street residents organise for regular but short road closures to allow kids to play outside under supervision. Parents have to look after their own children and some adults may have to do traffic management jobs.

Cathy Austin