Southbankers call on council to provide safer roads and friendlier streets

Housing affordability, homelessness services, a need for more green and open spaces, and better roads and transport options have topped a City of Melbourne survey as the community’s top priorities.

The pulse check led by Participate Melbourne was conducted between February 21 and March 31 using in-person events and online portals, returning nearly 4500 responses.

Southbank locals expressed concern about road and footpath safety in relation to cyclists and scooters, and poor surface qualities.

Traffic and congestion were also issues raised, along with a need for more green spaces and a renewed focus on public safety.

South Yarra residents listed similar concerns about road and public safety, calling for more police presence.

Respondents also said more green spaces and community events were a priority and also registered disquiet about housing affordability and the accessibility of homelessness services.

A Southbank respondent said, “Southbank is the most densely populated suburb, and we need more green open spaces for our communities.” 

“Not just open space, but green open space.”

When broken down by neighbourhood, the survey found affordable housing ranked as a major issue of concern across eight of the 10 areas surveyed.

A need for more green spaces was a recurring priority across six areas.

A need for better roads and public transport options was a priority for five.

Addressing the results at the August 13 Future Melbourne Committee, Cr Dr Olivia Ball said, “I hope we are doing something sector leading in this work of constantly checking in with the public”.

Cr Dr Ball said the survey had reached “the biggest result in the history of Participate Melbourne”.

The survey prompted at least 290 responses per neighbourhood, with higher density urban areas the most likely to participate.

Some 61 per cent of respondents were women, 33 per cent were born overseas, 25 per cent were aged under 30, 16 per cent identified as LGBTQIA+, while nearly 12 per cent were local business owners.

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation was consulted as part of the survey process.

Areas surveyed included Carlton, the CBD, Docklands, East Melbourne, Fishermans Bend, Kensington, North Melbourne, Parkville, Southbank, South Yarra and West Melbourne.

The City of Melbourne plans to conduct regular neighbourhood pulse checks as part of its Neighbourhood Planning Framework to inform future council budgets and the next four-year Council Plan.

Locals can sign up to receive updates when local council surveys are launched. •