The council meeting on Tuesday 12th March will consider several items related to building a more beautiful, liveable and accessible city. Let’s have a look.
Item 7.2 Transport Action Plan 2023-2033
This item seeks Council endorsement of the Transport Action Plan 2023-2033. The Plan supports the delivery of Yarra Transport Strategy by ‘establishing a visible rate of annual activity’, and ‘providing a strategic pipeline of projects’. Streets Alive Yarra supports the motion. It’s great to see that the Plan will be reviewed every four years, timed to be within one year of each council election, so that each new council has the opportunity to define what they’d like to achieve. The main problem with the Plan is lack of funding – which can easily be solved by charging commuters (not residents) $10 per day to park on-street in Yarra.
Item 7.3 Smith Reserve – landscaping and playground
This item seeks Council endorsement for the design to upgrade Smith Reserve next to the Fitzroy Pool. Streets Alive Yarra supports the motion because, in our view, the design is good, offering a wide range of options for play.
Item 8.1 Easy access tram stops
This items seeks Council support for the Mayor to write to Ministers, asking them to support improvements to Bridge Road, particularly to improve safety around the level access tram stops, by preventing vehicles from driving over the tram stops. Streets Alive Yarra supports the motion, because it aligns with best practice and our proposals for tram-based shopping streets.
Item 8.2 Dangers of oversized vehicles
This items seeks Council support for a Council Report on how to discourage large and heavy vehicles on Yarra’s streets, such as by varying parking fees in proportion with vehicle size and weight. Streets Alive Yarra supports the motion, because it aligns with best practice, i.e. pricing should include externalities.
Published 9th March 2024