This project aims to provide a bicycle route that connects Sandringham and Cheltenham.

The proposed connection will provide a safer option for riders and accessible walking for people of all ages and abilities, encourage use of sustainable transport, and improve connectivity to community services, reserves and sports grounds, schools, shopping precincts and railway stations.

This proposed bicycle route is an action in the Bayside Bicycle Action Plan 2019 and is also included as a Strategic Cycling Corridor (SCC) in the updated SCC Network by the Department of Transport (DoT). These corridors have been identified by the Department of Transport as important transport routes for riding that link important destinations, employment areas and activity centres.

The community engagement program seeks to understand the following, limited to the proposed bicycle route connection between Sandringham Train Station and Sandringham Family Leisure Centre, which forms stage one of the overall project:

• Level of support
• Interest and intended use
• Feedback and suggestions for improvement considerations
• Infrastructure improvements (i.e., bicycle racks, drinking water fountains, etc.) required at key destinations.

This engagement will also help to raise community awareness of sustainable transport modes and may inform the implementation of other strategic initiatives relating to integrated transport and sustainability.

The proposed cycling route

The scope of works will be limited to the routes identified within stage one of the project, which are managed and maintained by Council. Council will advocate to DoT to provide appropriate infrastructure treatments on arterial roads and intersections and consider opportunities to integrate this route within the wider network.

The proposed bicycle route is approximately 4km in length. The works to be provided along the route include:

• 1.75km of the route would provide bicycle sharrow linemarking on the existing road surface
• 780 metres of the route would provide upgrades to existing shared paths (treatments include widening existing paths to facilitate a shared path, modifications to avoid damage to tree roots, cross connections)
• 1.4 km of the route would introduce an off-road shared path.

The uptake of walking and riding is dependent on the provision of safer paths and suitable crossings. Currently, most of Bayside roads are dominated by cars and trucks, making it an unattractive and unsafe environment for pedestrians and riders.

A design to connect the east and west zones of the municipality has been developed with the following principles:

• Utilising existing infrastructure where available, suitable, and safe.
• Minimise the loss or reallocation of on-street parking spaces.
• Expansion of shared path and dedicated bicycle path infrastructure.
• Distance and connectivity to locations of interest along the route.
• Facility quality, with the interventions balancing the need of safety, amenity, and environmental impacts.

It is proposed to deliver the route in two stages:

• Stage 1 (progressing to engagement phase): Delivery of the proposed bicycle connection between Sandringham train station and the Sandringham Family Leisure Centre located on Tulip Street.
• Stage 2 (on hold): Delivery of the proposed bicycle connection from the Sandringham Family Leisure Centre to Cheltenham train station.

Council is not currently engaging for the proposed route for stage two predominantly due to budget constraints, the associated complexity and impacts of the potential route. Council intends to revisit stage two after stage one is delivered.

The complete delivery of this project which includes stages 1 and 2 will result in a range of benefits:

Benefits:

• Local community will have a safer and better connected and accessible option for riding and walking.
• Provision of an equitable and inclusive transport choice for road users, whether they choose to drive, walk, ride or commute via public transport
• Improved connectivity to community services, schools, shopping precincts and railway stations
• Encourage an active community and reduce the reliance on vehicles
• Help address climate emergency by encouraging and facilitating zero-carbon transport, which will improve air quality.

Other impacts

The completion of the route for stage one will require advocacy to the Department of Transport to introduce safe connections/crossings along:

• Bay Road between Fernhill Road and Station Street

There are constraints in providing a safe riding route via Bay Road between Fernhill Road and Station Street due to competing road space demands and high traffic volumes.

Council is not able to confirm what type of treatment may be suitable to be introduced at this location currently. Council Officers will continue to collaborate with the DoT to identify potential solutions which would avoid the need to remove parking.

• Bluff Road and Royal Avenue intersections

The potential intervention for this intersection to improve safety conditions for cyclists may include a speed limit reduction as required.

Council is committed to work with the DoT to consider a precinct approach for movement to the shops, retirement village, hospital and the Corporate Centre, and consider practical crossing solutions which would avoid the need to remove parking.

Environmental

There are sections along the route where limited changes such as updated line markings are proposed. The proposed cycling route would also provide for other modifications, including localised speed limit treatments and upgrades to traffic signals as well as the trimming, relocation and removal of some vegetation.

Environmental impacts associated with vegetation and naturestrip trees based on current investigations:

• George Street – Potential reposition and/or relocation of young naturestrip trees along the western side of the street between George Street reserve and Tulip Street. Site investigations identified that these newly planted trees are in line with the street utility poles. Further investigation during the functional/detail design phase is required to ascertain if there will be a need to reposition these trees.
• Tulip Street - Trimming of overgrown vegetation/shrubs from Sandringham Golf Course spilling on to the road reserve, and removal of a young naturestrip tree recently planted opposite 111 Tulip Street.

Opportunities to increase planting along stage one of the route will be considered throughout the project planning and delivery phases.

The project brings many benefits and creates more sustainable methods of transport in Bayside. Abandonment or postponement of this project would not align with Council’s strategic framework and goals to become a more climate conscious and resilient city.

Financial impacts

The cost to deliver this project is a significant cost to Council.

The indicative cost to completely deliver the proposed bicycle route is $3,393,075. The current budget allocation for this project is $1,193,505 – which would be used to deliver stage one.

Construction

The construction phase of the project would result in various modifications to existing infrastructure:

• Likely to be temporary closure of footpaths and possibly sections of roads while construction is occurring
• The project requires pruning of vegetation where adjacent to the proposed route, particularly along Tulip Street.

Community engagement on the proposed cycling connection will seek to understand the level of support for its delivery and the likely future usage of the cycling route.

To understand potential use, it will be important to receive information from the community, including:

• Connection to location (suburb/street, age, gender)
• Current riding patterns
• Feedback and improvement suggestions for consideration
• Suggestion for improvements on arterial roads and intersections (i.e., desired treatment for Bluff and Bay Roads)
• Speed management treatments (i.e. Tulip Street proposed speed limit reduction to 50km/h)
• Infrastructure improvements (i.e. bicycle racks, drinking water fountain, etc.) required at key end destinations (i.e. Sandringham Leisure Centre, Sandringham Station, etc.)

What can the community influence?

• Feedback and improvement suggestions for consideration
• Suggestions for improvements on arterial roads and intersections (i.e., desired treatment for Bluff and Bay Roads)
• Speed Management Treatments (i.e., Tulip Street proposed speed limit reduction to 50km/h)
• Infrastructure improvements (i.e., bicycle racks, drinking water fountain, etc.) required at key end destinations (i.e., Sandringham Leisure Centre, Sandringham Station, etc.)

What can’t the community influence?

• Engineering standards/guidelines and principles
• When the works are to be undertaken
• The delivery of an east-west bicycle connection, linking Cheltenham and Sandringham railway stations.

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter

Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated

Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

Table key: H = High, M = Medium, L = Low

Stakeholder / community	Interest	Impact	Influence
Cyclists	H	H	Consult
Owners and occupiers of properties adjoining the proposed route (both commercial and residential)	H	H	Consult
Sandringham and Cheltenham residents (within 500m of route)	H	M	Consult
Sandringham Railway Station and Sandringham Family Life Leisure Centre tenants and users	H	H	Consult
Sandringham Hospital staff and regular visitors	M	L	Consult
Spot clubs along route including Golf Club	H	M	Consult
Bicycle Network Victoria	H	M	Consult
Victoria Walks	H	M	Consult
Pedestrians	H	H	Consult
Environmental Sensitive Groups	H	M	Consult
Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DAIAC)	H	L	Consult
Department of Transport	H	H	Consult

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought. The impact of COVID-19 restricts our ability for face-to-face communication, as well as slower distribution of printed mail.

Key tools for communicating the project

• Project page on Have Your Say engagement platform, including:
  • A video showing the proposed cycling route (starting from Sandringham Station to Sandringham Family Leisure Centre)
  • A hotspot map showcasing sections of the proposed cycling route and the proposed treatments to be installed
• Signage at key destinations along the proposed cycling route
• Letter to adjoining property owners and occupiers informing them of the project, community engagement period and participate methods
• Direct e-mail to community members/groups that have an interest in the proposed cycling route
• Direct email to relevant Have Your Say members
• Local school newsletters
• Council website, Have Your Say website and e-newsletter, This Week in Bayside
• Relevant special interest Council e-newsletters
• Let’s Talk Bayside Magazine – February /March 2023 edition
• Postcards to residents within 250m either side of the route
• Social media, including sponsored posts to target key audiences

Key methods for gathering feedback

• Online survey hosted on Have Your Say project page
• Pop up engagement sessions at key locations: Sandringham train station, Sandringham Family Leisure Centre (Tulip Street), and Black Rock Farmers Market (Royal Avenue Reserve)
• Email, post, or phone submissions
• Opportunity for key stakeholders to book a meeting with Project Manager to discuss the project 1:1
• Printed survey, as required.

Project stage	Timing
Overall project start	July 2021
Prepare feasibility of proposed cycling route and other alternative routes	July 2021– July 2022
Council Report	August 2022
Community Engagement Planning	September 2022 – January 2023
Community Engagement	January – February 2023
Analyse community engagement feedback	February – March 2023
Tender Administration – Design for Stage 1	TBC
Commence Design Limited to Stage 1	TBC
Report to Council	16 May 2023

It is expected that Council will consider community feedback at its May 2023 meeting.

The agenda for this meeting will be published a week before the meeting date. Interested community members can make a submission or request to speak in relation to this project at the meeting.

Please select the +Subscribe button at the top of the page to receive updates about this project, including when it will be considered by Council and any further opportunities to participate in this project.

Council resolution dated 16 August 2022 states ‘receives a report at a future Council Meeting on the community engagement findings, alongside the final design of stage one of the proposed cycling route connecting Cheltenham and Sandringham’

Community engagement results will influence the outcome of Stage 1 of the project. Council officers intend to update the concept design as required and expect to report back to Council in May 2023.

Henry Lee

Senior Integrated Transport Planner

HLee@bayside.vic.gov.au
03 9599 4394