The plan to extend one of Melbourne’s key bike commuter routes — Wellington Street through Collingwood and Clifton Hill — goes before the Yarra City Council next week severely diminished in intent and scope.
The recommendation before the councillors is a grab-bag of a dozen or so modest street enhancements that while worthy, do not constitute the transformation of the street that is required to bring it up the Strategic Cycling Corridor standard and meet the daily travel movements of the large numbers of people who will be using it in future years.
These changes, though, will not preclude the adoption of more considered and suitable treatments for the street in what is a multi-year project.
The officer report to the council does list the options that can bring the street up to standard, presumably at a later time.
Wellington Street was selected as a key bike route a decade ago after the decision had been made to upgrade Hoddle Street/Punt Road for buses and motor traffic, making it unsuitable for bike riders.
Wellington Street was the only alternative. It was also the best alternative, being long and direct as well as intersecting with other major bike routes.
Especially important is that it is part of the connection to central Melbourne for the new bike route that is being constructed along the Eastern Freeway from Kew to Princes Hill.
As most of the motor traffic in the street is through-traffic without an origin or destination in the street, and Hoddle Street was upgraded for such traffic, Wellington was a good choice for both bikes and residents, who would greatly benefit from the better local environment and improved road safety.
But most of Yarra City’s well-developed transport and safety initiatives, due to be implemented in the next few years, are slowly being strangled by an inept council.
A majority of the elected representatives are clearly overwhelmed by the complexity of the task they face, apparently surprised and confused by the council administration’s use of evidence and analysis, and bewildered by the expectation that they base their decisions on professional advice and make them in the public interest.
The council’s meeting to discuss the issue is next Tuesday 12 May 2026.
Details about public involvement in the meeting are here.
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