Building a safer Wellington Street

Council is asking for feedback on the options they have developed for Wellington Street, north of Johnston Street.

Building a safer Wellington Street. Image credit: Your Say Yarra.

Council points out that 11,000 cars drive along Wellington Street each day, and 88% aren’t stopping in either Collingwood or Clifton Hill, i.e. they’re through-traffic.

Council have developed options for two sections of the street, a southern section (Johnston Street to Alexandra Parade, or Stage 3), and a northern section (Alexandra Parade to Queens Parade, or Stage 4).

Consultation for two sections. Image credit: Apple Maps, Streets Alive Yarra.

Southern section (Johnston Street to Alexandra Parade, or Stage 3)

There are two options:

  • Bicycle Street
  • Painted bicycle lanes
Wellington Street Stage 3 comparison. Image credit: Streets Alive Yarra.

Overall, the ‘Bicycle Street’ option is the better outcome, offering a calmer street, more trees, and more car parking, while also delivering a safe environment for people biking.

Wellington Street Stage 3 Bicycle Street. Image credit: Your Say Yarra.

Northern section (Alexandra Parade to Queens Parade, or Stage 4)

There are two options:

  • Bicycle Street
  • Protected bicycle lanes
Wellington Street Stage 4 comparison. Image credit: Streets Alive Yarra.

Overall, the ‘Bicycle Street’ option is the better outcome, offering a calmer street, more trees, and more car parking, while also delivering a safe environment for people biking.

Wellington Street Stage 4 Bicycle Street. Image credit: Your Say Yarra.

Are there any downsides?

In our view, the ‘Bicycle Street’ option for both Stage 3 and Stage 4 would be a massively improved outcome:

  • A more beautiful, calmer, and safer street, with much less through traffic
  • A more attractive neighbourhood, with cleaner air, less noise, and safer routes to local schools – Clifton Hill Primary School will remain accessible by car via Page Street and Noone Street
  • Significantly more parking bays retained compared with the other options (painted bicycle lane or protected bicycle lane)
  • Every property remains accessible by car, albeit some via a route with a few more turns
  • Through traffic can still use the adjacent and surrounding VicRoads declared arterials: Hoddle Street, Nicholson Street, Queens Parade, Alexandra Parade, and Johnston Street; and most drivers will choose to do so because those routes are more direct and offer signalised intersections other major streets

Learn more

You can learn more on how to design safe streets and neighbourhoods, via this free design guide:

Designing for Safe Speeds. Image credit: NACTO.

How you can help

You can help by going to Your Say Yarra and providing your feedback on the options, before 9am on Monday 13 October 2025.

Published 6 October 2025