Promenade works must fix cyclist mess: survey

By David Schout & Sean Car

Southbank Promenade users have told the City of Melbourne it must address pedestrian and cyclist conflict in upcoming improvement works.

In a survey conducted ahead of upgrades to the prominent thoroughfare — already delayed by more than 12 months — the “most frequently commented on” aspect of the proposed design focussed on the conflict between those on foot versus those on two wheels.

The busy shared space has for years seen the two parties butt heads.

Feedback collated by New Zealand-based Global Research and completed by 171 respondents noted a lack of confidence that the project would fix the problem.

“The overall sentiment among respondents was that cyclists currently pose a risk to pedestrians and each other, and that the proposed design doesn’t go far enough to address this issue,” it reported.

A “sizeable number” of respondents suggested a separated cycle lane be included in the new design for Southbank Promenade.

A floating pontoon for cyclists, like those seen upstream along the Yarra River at Burnley, has previously been suggested as a way to improve pedestrian safety on the promenade.

However, investigations found this could impact access for Southbank tour boat operators.

The council has said the promenade will remain a shared space, and instead hoped cyclists would use new routes on Southbank Boulevard.

A recent police operation on Southbank Promenade saw more than 100 cyclists and scooter riders fined in a safety crackdown on the busy strip.

“We know that there are a number of pain points across this well-used area of our city and the community in their feedback has reinforced the need for us to act to address those conflicts and issues,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said at an April 20 Future Melbourne Committee meeting.

“The significance of Southbank Promenade is well understood, and we can see it every day, even with disruption, how many people use this area, from local residents through to commuter bicycle traffic and of course visitors. [It is] one of those places that has multiple uses for so many people. This has been demonstrated through the feedback we’ve had.”

Southbank Promenade was built in the early 1990s, and aspects were “approaching the end of their service life”.

Upgrades are set to improve the 300-metre section between the Evan Walker Bridge and Princes Bridge.

The project will replace “worn” pavements, furniture and “unwell” trees, and widen footpaths, a point Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said would “go a long way to alleviating some of those congestion issues”.

Why was the public only consulted now?

It is notable that the council sought public feedback on the promenade project only after works was delayed.

Upgrade works were originally planned to begin in early 2020 but, as it was set to begin, the council announced a delay until 2021 to “reduce disruption”.

It was not until June, however, during the project’s “pause”, that it resolved to seek wider public feedback on the proposed design.

The council has been in discussions with Southgate’s owners ARA Australia regarding its plans for the promenade for the past few years. As reported in Southbank News, ARA Australia has submitted plans for a major redevelopment of its mixed-use precinct to the Minister for Planning and is still awaiting approval.

ARA Australia had sought an approval from the minister last year but was ultimately unsuccessful in capitalising on the state government’s fast-tracked approvals of “shovel-ready” projects as an economic response to the pandemic. While neither ARA or the City of Melbourne would confirm it, a number of sources have told Southbank News that last year’s delays were largely the result of the Southgate development application.

However, while it continues to await approval, it appears the council is intending to press ahead with its upgrades despite the quieter times of COVID-19 lockdowns having provided the ideal opportunity to carry out the works.

Southbank News asked ARA Australia whether the council’s decision to get on with the promenade upgrades impacted on its development application, but was only told that discussions would remain ongoing.

“ARA Australia and City of Melbourne have been in regular communication regarding our planning application for Southgate and the planned upgrade works along Southbank Promenade. We will continue to work closely with their team to ensure the best outcome is achieved for all parts of our community,” a spokesperson for ARA Australia said.

Aside from the cyclist and pedestrian issues, the survey commission by the council revealed generally positive responses in regards to tree renewal on the promenade.

On the overall plans, however, a “large number of comments called for minimal changes to be made” to the popular strip.

While expected to begin in 2021, it is not known exactly when the delayed works will begin •