Darebin

The City of Darebin is the local government council to the north of Yarra.

Darebin has adopted a Transport Strategy, Cycling Strategy and Walking Strategy; and has released a Parking Strategy for public comment. Darebin’s strategies are very good, and contain many best-practice elements that Yarra should adopt.

Summary

Yarra should adopt many best-practice elements of Darebin’s strategies, including:

• Commitment to evidence based policy.
• Clear language supporting a mode shift away from single occupancy vehicles; toward walking, cycling and public transport.
• Clear user hierarchy and road hierarchy.
• Economically rational proposals for restrictions on parking and the pricing of parking.
• Strong statements that revenue from parking should be invested in local improvements.

We need to change

Darebin acknowledges that our present path isn’t sustainable and we need to change:

Evidence based policy

Darebin clearly states their support for evidence based policy, based on collecting data:

Facilitate mode shift

Darebin will facilitate to more sustainable modes of transport and target a reduction in car use:

Reallocation of space

Darebin will reallocate street space away from cars and car parking, toward walking cycling and public transport:

User hierarchy

Darebin proposes a clear user hierarchy with people who are walking, cycling or using public transport prioritised over people who are driving.

Road hierarchy

Darebin has adopted a clear road hierarchy, which helps to guide user expectations for level of service:

Footpath network

Darebin supports a footpath network, called the Principal Pedestrian Network:

Bicycle network

Darebin clearly supports the construction of a cohesive bicycle network:

Parking revenue

Darebin clearly states that revenue from parking can be invested in local improvements:

Parking maximums

Darebin proposes to change from parking minimums to parking maximums:

Increase car sharing

Darebin proposed to increase the number of car share vehicles:

Conclusion

Darebin’s transport strategy and draft parking strategy contain many best-practice elements that Yarra should adopt.