Richmond is designated as Council’s Local Area Place Making (LAPM) precinct #17, bounded by Hoddle Street, Bridge Road, Church Street, and Swan Street.
Context
Richmond has a Walk Score of 90, making it the 12th most walkable suburb in Melbourne. Of course, it can still be improved. Many footpaths are too narrow, or too sloping, to be useable for our increasing population. Also, as with most local streets in Yarra, streets in Richmond suffer from high traffic volumes and traffic speeds, dissuading children from biking to school or sport.
2025 Road Safety Study
In October/November 2025 Council started a Road Safety Study, with the first step being to ask the community for their feedback on how they use Rowena Parade and any accessibility or safety concerns.
Previous studies
Richmond was last reviewed in 2013. LAPM reviews are a once in a decade opportunity to persuade Council to invest decent money in infrastructure such as a 30 km/h zone, wider footpaths, protected bicycle lanes, trees, pocket parks or street closures.
Suggestions
One way to improve liveability, accessibility, place making and active transport is to convert the whole LAPM area into a 30 km/h Safe Access Neighbourhood.
Stewart Street
In 2018, after safety concerns had been expressed by the community, Stewart Street was transformed into a shared zone. This shows that upgrades can and do occur outside of the normal once-in-a-decade LAPM process.
Rowena Parade
Here’s a suggestion for a pocket park on Rowena Parade, near the Rowena Corner Store, to slow and calm traffic:
