Transport

Background

Melbourne needs an integrated transport system for people and freight that is not only efficient and sustainable, but also safe, healthy, accessible, easy to use and focused on the dynamics of a growing and maturing city. The increased volume of public transport, pedestrian and bicycle traffic into and around the central city makes continual improvement of an integrated transport system more urgent than ever before.

Principles

  1. The most efficient, accessible and sustainable modes of transport must be prioritised in Melbourne, including active transport (public transport, walking and cycling) and socially inclusive and environmentally-friendly transport options.
  2. Pollution and carbon emissions from traffic and inner city congestion pose immediate problems for all governments, and are best addressed by rapid and significant increase in funding for public transport infrastructure.
  3. Environmentally sustainable, active and cost-efficient transport systems are necessary to maintain the amenity and liveability of City of Melbourne communities, which includes increasing people’s health and wellbeing.
  4. Disruption in transport technology presents risks and opportunities to car travel in Melbourne. Car travel should evolve to become a specialised mode of transport while public transport, walking and cycling will continue to be the most dominant and efficient modes of transport for travel to and within the City.
  5. Successful public transport planning lies in integrating all transport modes (trams, buses, trains, bicycles, motorbikes and pedestrians), with coordinated timetables, easy interchange, pathfinder signage and parking infrastructure.
  6. There is a strong relationship between walking and public transport, and the City of Melbourne should work with public transport agencies to ensure that this relationship has a high priority in planning for transport infrastructure and public spaces.
  7. Bike Share and Car Share programs should be integrated with public transport systems.
  8. Governments have a responsibility to make public and environmentally sustainable modes of transport convenient and accessible for all.
  9. Walking is the most important mode of transport in the City of Melbourne and should be recognised in all transport and infrastructure planning accordingly.
  10. A cycling culture focused on safety, respect, physical separation and integrated road use promotes the health and strength of the community as a whole.
  11. Parks and community infrastructure should be free from the threat of new roads.

Aims

Shifting to sustainable transport modes able to move the greatest number of people

  1. Increase the share of trips made on the City’s roads that use the most efficient and sustainable transport options, such as public transport, walking and cycling.
  2. Prioritise walking, cycling and public transport in planning decisions, particularly in urban renewal precincts.
  3. Support traffic-light sequencing changes that prioritise public transport, cyclists and pedestrians, including more default green lights for pedestrians.
  4. Continuing to reduce the share of private car use for trips to, within, and from, the City of Melbourne.
  5. Seek State Government agreement to continue and improve public transport services throughout the night on weekends and to also extend these services to include weeknights.
  6. Work with the State Government and community to roll out the Metro Rail project efficiently whilst considering the needs of all stakeholders during the disruption.
  7. Encourage the State Government to reduce congestion and encourage active transport through a review and potential enhancement of the Parking Levy.
  8. Advocate for investment in new public transport, including major rail projects such as Metro 2, Metro 3 and an Airport Rail Link, as well as new tram lines to Fishermans Bend and along the full length of Victoria Street into Arden and Macaulay, and more frequent bus services.
  9. Support all tram stops within the municipality becoming fully accessible, while ensuring that they are integrated with other active transport modes and facilitate safety for all road users.
  10. Engage with all relevant stakeholders to organise short term, localised events to showcase active transport opportunities within their precincts.
  11. Encourage businesses to set up incentive programs that encourage their employees to use public transport or active transport when commuting to and from work.
  12. Facilitate the further development of car share schemes in the City.
  13. Advocate to the State Government for fairer public transport fares.
  14. Work with the State Government to develop targets and policy mechanisms to reduce pollution from private vehicles.
  15. Remove the minimum parking provision requirement in the planning scheme, particularly in areas well serviced by public transport.

A walkable city

  1. Expand and prioritise a connected, safe and accessible pedestrian network, through the development of good quality walking links between the City’s public spaces, the public transport system and within urban renewal areas.
  2. Make Elizabeth St a high quality civic space, and implement better pedestrian amenity on key little streets in the CBD such as Little Bourke Street between Spring St and Hardware Lane, with appropriate arrangements made for delivery access to businesses and any critical parking needs.
  3. Expand pedestrian priority areas in Southbank (particularly City Road), City North, Arden Macaulay, Docklands, Fishermans Bend and other urban renewal areas.
  4. Continue to expand traffic signal – pedestrian priority through the application of auto-on, increased pedestrian walk time, reduced pedestrian crossing distances as well as other pedestrian friendly techniques.
  5. Design shared pathways which minimise conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.

A cycling city

  1. Foster a cycling culture focused on safety and respect.
  2. Fast-track the expansion of Melbourne’s bicycle network to make it safe, connected and direct, reprioritising Council’s expenditure as appropriate.
  3. Create continuous, connected and direct separated bike lanes along streets with a high incidence of dooring accidents, starting with the lengths of St Kilda Rd and Royal Parade.
  4. Improve, expand and promote the City bike share scheme as part of the public transport network.
  5. Expand bicycles parking across the municipality through initiatives such as an incentive scheme with businesses bidding to host a bike corral outside their venue.
  6. Encourage more people to ride bikes through increased infrastructure on local streets and targeted education and training programs for groups with low participation rates.
  7. Installing better end-of-trip facilities for cyclists, such as short stay multiple parking corrals and long stay secure bike lockers near businesses.

Safer streets

  1. Work with the Department of Transport to implement a 24-hour 30km/h speed limit on all roads in the CBD and high activity areas in suburbs within the municipality.
  2. Continue to improve and add pedestrian crossings in high pedestrian areas to increase the safety of vision-impaired pedestrians.
  3. Work with the State Government to facilitate and encourage the protection of vulnerable road users.
  4. Fund safe, well-lit transport hubs and pick-up points.

Leading by example

  1. Reduce the council vehicle fleet with all remaining vehicles to be electric only.
  2. Increase the use of active transport modes by councillors and council officers when conducting Council business.
  3. Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that CoM initiatives and policies keep pace with changing transport technologies.

Improved local freight systems

  1. Implement last kilometre freight delivery services throughout the municipality that prioritse the use of low or no emission vehicles.