Approximately 50+ residents showed up to last night’s commununity forum to hear the latest on traffic management and parking. First cab off the rank was Dr. Bruce Corben who emphasised the importance of speed reduction in local residential streets and arterial roads and the health and environmental benefits this would achieve. Research revealed that pedestrians were at greatest risk even when cars were travelling at 30km per hour. He commented that the objective of all street calming projects was to lower car speeds and that roundabouts were the most effective in achieving this aim.

Cr Narelle Sharpe outlined the holistic 8 step program that Moonee Valley Council is employing. The beauty of this scheme was that it included in-depth research and analysis of entire areas resulting in 22 precincts that were ‘weighted’ according to various criteria such as traffic volume, speed, surrounding facilities, and most importantly, community consultation. The plan for each precinct cost in the vicinity of $45,000 and Moonee Valley had undertaken to complete 2 precincts per year. It was therefore a long term vision based on a thorough understanding of the needs of each local area rather than a single street.

Cr Serge Thomann highlighted Port Phillip’s approach and the pressures that this municipality faced in terms of incredible high density, tourists and visitors, as well as the ensuing parking problems. The strategy adopted by council was: (1) a hierarchical road strategy that placed pedestrians at the top followed by cyclists and then cars. (2) council’s refusal to issue residential parking permits for new developments; (2) extensive community bus services; (3) different street calming measures that varied across the municipality – ie raised pedestrian crossings in line with footpaths.

Whilst each municipality is unique, it is obvious that common problems exist. How these problems are approached by decision makers is what is important. We maintain that in Glen Eira the approach is haphazard, and lacks a truly integrated vision. If safety is the most important criterion then councils must be pro-active as both Moonee Valley and Port Phillip appear to be. It just is not good enough for residents to be told that your street is within the 85th percentile on speed and traffic volume so we won’t do anything! The old adage that prevention is better than cure certainly applies in this domain.