Council policies

The City of Yarra has adopted multiple strategies, policies and plans that support walking, cycling, public transport, trees, and place making:

• Community Vision 2036
• Council Plan 2021-2025
• Climate Emergency Plan 2020-2024
• Transport Strategy
• Place Making Framework
• Local Liveable Streets
• Urban Forest Strategy
• Structure and local area plans
• Urban design frameworks and streetscape masterplans

Social Justice Charter

Notably, in 2020, the City of Yarra adopted a social justice charter, which positions the principles of social justice (access, equity, rights and participation) above the Council Plan and all other strategies, policies and plans.

Alignment with state government policies

Council policies align with multiple state government acts, policies and strategies which also support active transport:

• Plan Melbourne 2017-2050
• Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030
• Transport Integration Act 2010
• Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018-2028
• Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria

National and international policies

Council policies also align with national and international strategies and plans:

Our view

Multiple local, state and federal government policies support safe and active transport, reflecting broad community support. The key barrier to delivering equitable and socially just streets (where people of all ages and abilities can move safely around Yarra, regardless of whether they choose to walk, roll on a wheelchair, cycle, use public transport or drive) is the fiscal imbalance between local and state/federal governments (where local government spends money on safer roads, but state & federal governments benefit from lower population health costs), together with the lack of trials that would enable traders to see for themselves that they would be better off with the changes.