Over the past four years, residents have successfully campaigned for the removal of unnecessary and dangerous infrastructure that was installed via 38 km of “Pop-up Bike Lanes” – the scars of which remain visible today. Residents were also successful in stopping the replacement of carparking and vehicle lanes with separated bike lanes in Kerferd Road and Inkerman Street.

Despite ongoing and overwhelming rejection by many residents, the City of Port Phillip (the “Council”) is seeking to recommence its war on cars, motorcycles and registered scooters; and how you may wish to travel in your local area.

Draft Road Safety Plan

The Council has developed a draft road safety plan to:

• introduce 30 km/h speed limits;
• construct new bike lanes;
• continue the removal of car parking; and;
• change the look of local streets by painting places in bright and non-conforming colours (let’s not also forget the bright orange rubber bollards and ugly concrete blocks from the “Pop-up” fiasco).

 

All to be paid for by you.

 

The draft “Safe Travel Strategy and Plan” on page 7 states “the network of walking and cycling infrastructure remains incomplete” with images of proposed designs clearly indicating the removal of car parking in major thoroughfares such as Grey Street (page 16). See link: https://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/road-safety-2026

The Council aims to eliminate road related deaths and serious injuries, yet nearly two thirds of the fatal and serious crashes occurred on arterial roads that are the responsibility of the State Government and one third on local roads.

Disturbingly, the Council proposal does not provide an analysis of the causes of serious injury and fatalities on our roads. Could the reported accidents be caused by e-scooters, e-bikes, cyclists or pedestrians not observing road rules?

Disappointingly the draft strategy does not seek to address serious injuries and deaths caused by e-scooters and e-bikes.

Finally, there is no compelling justification for 30 km per hour speed limits. The Monash University study that is often cited to support lowering the speed limit shows a 4% only reduction in the risk of sustaining a severe injury when a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle. This figure is calculated as a reduction from 0.24% before, to a 0.23% risk – after reducing speed from 40 km/h to 30 km/h. A statistically insignificant difference of 0.01% (a one in ten thousand reduction). Source: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-030-76505-7_34

The Council is projecting its loathing towards cars in a similar way to inner-city activist groups, rather than considering a suburban landscape that receives a high number of car-driving visitors across the year for a variety of reasons (the beach, Albert Park sporting complex, festivals, running/cycling events etc).

Most residents object to the idea of speed limits being lowered to 30 km/h and remain comfortable with 40 km/h – as is required in the vicinity of schools across the state currently, so something that we are all familiar with.

Some of the initiatives may be worthwhile subject to location, such as safer pedestrian and school crossings and the banning of e-scooters and e-bikes being ridden on footpaths, but the war on cars and motorcycles must stop.

Is the “Safe Travel” proposal a Trojan Horse that seeks to limit our use of cars, motorbikes and registered scooters?

Consult the plan please – you will note that at least 21 streets are identified across Port Phillip for change and no doubt more will be listed if nothing is done. Is your street one of those listed? And don’t forget, even if it isn’t, then you will get more traffic in your street as people avoid the changes – Google Maps knows how to find the fastest route!

Please note that whilst the State Government is “sponsoring” this strategy, it is Council (i.e. your rates) that will pay for third party construction companies to do this work – they won’t be saying no to it. Accepting this new cost to the Council’s budget is the same as approving another rate increase and the amount will remain baked-in forever.

It is your available time and ease of movement that the Council is seeking to reduce – and they want you to pay for it too (remembering that our rates are excessive compared to neighbouring councils).

How can you get involved?

Although the Council’s “Have Your Say” survey is now closed you can still send feedback to Councillors prior to them voting on the “Safe Travel” proposal at a Council Meeting on 17^th June 2026.

Send your feedback to Councillors by email – see link for email addresses: https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/who-we-are/your-councillors

If you would like more information, attend a Community Meeting at

Time:               7:30pm to 8:30pm

Date:                Thursday 7^th May 2026

Venue:             Middle Park Community Centre, 254-256 Richardson Street, Middle Park

RSVP:              mail@ropp.org.au

Appendix

The following streets have been called out in the Council’s proposal:

• Alma Road

• Bank Street
• Bridge Street
• Canterbury Road
• Coventry Street
• Ferrars Street
• Herbert Street
• Grey Street
• Inkerman Street
• Kerferd Road
• Lansdowne Road
• Milton Street
• Nimmo Street
• Page Street
• Pickles Street
• Raglan Street
• Williamstown Road
• Wordsworth Street
• York Street