The idea to pedestrianise a section of Melrose Street was put forward by members of the local community who have a desire for more public open space within Sandringham Village.
In September-October 2022, we asked the community and local traders what they thought about pedestrianising a section Melrose Street, as well as aspirations for the future use of this space.
We heard from more than 350 people who visit, shop, live, work and own property or a business in Sandringham via an online survey, community pop-up events, written submissions and a webinar.
Sentiment towards the proposed closure of Melrose Street was polarised during the first phase of community consultation (42% strongly supporting and 39% strongly opposing), with the main concerns about traffic and parking demand. Find out more about the first stage of engagement and the consultation findings.
The top future aspirations for the space were places to sit down and eat or have a coffee, for entertainment or events, and for pop-up shops or footpath trading – suggesting flexible infrastructure for different activities.
A traffic study undertaken to understand the impact on traffic from a partial closure of Melrose Street determined that it would likely have an overall minor impact on the operation of the surrounding intersections and road network.
Following the first phase of consultation, Council resolved to formally propose to trial a partial temporary closure of Melrose Street. A temporary partial road closure would help the community experience the area as public open space, while enabling greater understanding of impacts, including on traffic and parking.
Submissions for the statutory phase of community consultation closed 5pm 28 March 2023. We received 120 written submissions and heard from 23 speakers at a Council meeting on 19 April.
Of the 120 written submissions received: 38 supported the trial partial closure, 79 opposed and 3 were unclear in their level of support or opposition. Among those who identified a direct connection with Melrose Street – either as a trader, property owner or resident – the majority (18) were opposed with three in support. A petition with 255 signatures was also received objecting to the temporary partial closure, as well as a petition with 131 signatures in support of the six-month trial closure.
Council considered all submissions and decided not to proceed with the proposed temporary road closure at its 27 June meeting. Read the meeting agenda and meeting minutes.
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A traffic study was undertaken to understand the impact on traffic that a partial closure of Melrose Street would have.
The traffic study assesses the impacts of a potential closure, with a particular interest in the redirection of traffic movements and circulation to other streets and intersections in the vicinity.
The closure of the street would result in a loss of approximately 14 on-street parking spaces including seven 1-hour parking spaces, three 2-hour parking spaces and four spaces that are currently already used as parklets.
The traffic study determined that a partial closure of Melrose Street would likely have an overall minor impact on the operation of the surrounding intersections and road network. Read the Traffic Study.
Noting community concerns about parking availability in the Village during the first phase of consultation, Council has decided to introduce parking sensors and dynamic signage, as well as update timed parking restrictions, to optimise use of the Council carpark located at 122 Beach Road, Sandringham.
The statutory consultation process provides an opportunity to make a formal submission to Council on the proposed temporary partial road closure and speak in support of your submission at a Special Committee of Council Meeting at 6pm Wednesday 19 April 2023.
Responses to the proposal must be provided by a written submission, in accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989. The consultation period was open from 9am Monday 27 February to 5pm 28 March 2023.
Submissions should include your feedback on the proposed temporary road closure and your reasons for holding that view. This is required so that Council can properly consider your submission and provide a written response.
If you wish to speak in support if your submission at a Special Committee of Council meeting on 19 April 2023, please indicate this on the submission form or within your posted submission.
Submissions are not confidential and may be incorporated or summarised (including your first and last name only) into the agenda and minutes of any Council or Committee meeting that considers the proposed temporary road closure. These documents will be published and publicly available on Council websites.
Accessible or printed materials can also be requested via the contact details in the contact us section below.
Please select the blue +Subscribe button at the top of this page to receive updates about this project, including notification of when it will be considered at Council meetings.
Submissions for this phase of consultation close at 5pm, 28 March 2023.
Read answers to frequently asked about the proposal, as well as questions asked by community members during the consultation phases.
Find out more about this project, and how we're engaging with our community.
Read community feedback and reports from completed phases of community engagement for this project.
View the archived project pages from the first phase of community engagement on new ideas for Sandringham Village.
Please select the blue +Subscribe button above to receive updates about this project.
To make an enquiry about this project, please get in touch via the following methods:
Please select the blue subscribe+ button at the top of this page to receive updates about this project, including notification of when it will be considered at Council meetings.
Contact us
Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue
PO Box 27, Sandringham VIC 3191
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