The City of Melbourne’s modern epoch for the CBD – a vision for people-packed streets with a bias for active and public transport – is out for public feedback.
The draft Future Streets Framework, which will guide a gradual, multi-decade transformation of central Melbourne, is aimed at solidifying the CBD as Melbourne's commercial and civic heart. The goal is to make the city highly attractive to investors, workers and visitors as population and economic activities intensify in future years.
The draft, many years in the crafting, will be scrutinised by the full range of community interests and the council is inviting input from all users.
It has consolidated several ongoing initiatives into a new framework for the Hoddle Street grid, which prioritises public transport, pedestrians and bikes.
The council will overlay a roadway management system that identifies the role of each street and guides its development according to the long-term vision.
Initiatives such as the reconfiguration of Elizabeth Street to function similarly to Swanston Street, and placemaking around railway precincts and civic destinations to cope with the expected future pedestrian surge, are set to proceed.
The council’s framework describes the streets in the Hoddle grid as "hard-working public spaces that serve a multitude of functions for residents, business owners, workers and visitors in addition to transport".
The framework document is available here. There is also a comprehensive list of FAQs on the page.
"Streets make up approximately 98% of public space in the Hoddle grid,” the report says. "The framework paves the way for Melbourne to be more pedestrian friendly, noting pedestrians of all abilities offer the highest economic and environmental return of any transport mode.
"The framework acknowledges that vehicles that have a destination also provide an economic contribution, but vehicles that simply travel through the city do not provide a benefit.”
The council is aiming to maximise economic opportunity through optimised streets: "Sustainable modes (walking, biking/scootering and public transport) are the most efficient way of moving large volumes of people.
"It’s therefore important that we allocate street space to meet anticipated demands and to maximise economic value. A person walking to the central city makes the greatest contribution to the central city economy compared to other modes."
The framework envisages a hierarchy of street functions. There will be tram streets, bus streets, little streets, bike streets, laneways and Melbourne "squares".
The bike streets are described as safe, active streets that support bike riders of all confidence levels, while enabling vehicle access to local destinations and businesses. These streets also provide enhanced greening and open spaces to create high-amenity places to spend time.
Bicycle Network encourages bike riders to involve themselves in the consultation process, as strong active transport provision is vital if more people are to move around a denser and busier city.
The council is staging a series of online Q&A sessions – two with a focus on business and traders, and two for the general community – during August. There are three community pop-ups in Carlton and the CBD. Registration and other details are on the Participate Melbourne page.
The consultation is open for an extended period, closing on 11 October 2023.
The framework is expected to be finalised early next year.
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