Cyclists and pedestrians using the foreshore shared path

Beach Road Corridor Strategy

Background

Bayside Council introduced a 12 month ‘No Stopping’ zone trial along Route 33 Reach Road in November 2010, along with the development of a Beach Road Corridor Strategy.

In 2010, the former Minister for Roads and Ports committed $1.5 million towards the implementation of the Beach Road Corridor Strategy.

The development of the Strategy has commenced and includes the analysis of all activity nodes along Route 33 Beach Road, including safety treatments such as improved foreshore car park access, improved pedestrian access and cyclist education.

The corridor includes Beach Road, Esplanade, St Kilda Street road reserve contained within the municipalities of Bayside and Kingston, the Beach Road shared off-road path and associated infrastructure within the road reserve.

 Map of the Beach Road corridor (PDF, 931KB) 

A project management group comprising senior officers from VicRoads and Bayside and Kingston Councils have produced a Beach Corridor Strategy Brief that identifies and prioritises a range of works and actions to improve the overall safety of users on Beach Road, particularly motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Some of the matters highlighted for consideration in the development of the strategy include:

  • Improving access to foreshore car parks
  • Additional pedestrian operated traffic signals
  • Pedestrian refuges
  • Indented parking
  • On road and off road cycling facilities
  • Completion of the Bay Trail Share Path South link, including investigation into the best use of the existing road space to achieve the desired outcome

The Strategy is divided into two main streams: the community consultation and engagement to be co-ordinated and funded by the Council. This is being carried out by PLUM Communication, a Melbourne based communication and stakeholder engagement company. 

The second stream is the technical analysis of the proposed traffic improvements, which is to be co-ordinated and funded by VicRoads. This is being carried out by Traffix Group, a traffic management company.

Beach Road Corridor Strategy FAQs

How the strategy is being developed

The development of the Strategy, which is being undertaken over an 8 month period, started in November 2010 and will conclude in July 2011 concurrent with the ‘No Stopping’ trial.

The ‘No Stopping’ Trial runs from November 2010 to November 2011. FAQs on the ‘No Stopping Trial 

The development of the Beach Road Corridor Strategy will be finalised in June 2011 and taken to Council in August 2011.

The implementation of Strategy will be rolled out over a period of three years from 2011 to 2013.

Approach to stakeholder engagement in strategy development

The development of the Beach Road Corridor Strategy includes a number of opportunities for the Bayside community and stakeholders to get involved and to provide input. These opportunities are detailed in the Beach Road Corridor Strategy Stakeholder Engagement Plan

The Council is committed to seeking feedback and input throughout the entire strategy development process.

Throughout the engagement process the Council aims to have real conversations between and with the community, opinion leaders and stakeholders. 

Specific regard will be given to the submissions already received and the ongoing engagement with those submitters.

Council is also committed to conducting engagement so that balanced views of the community are presented without undue or unbalanced emphasis being given to specific or vested interested.

The consultation activities planned for this strategy development been selected to capture a wide variety of views and opinions of stakeholders across the Bayside area.

Council will promote and operate by evidence-based decision making.

Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG)

A Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) was established in November 2010 following a public call for nominations.

The SRG includes 16 representatives who were provided with terms of reference at the first meeting in December 2010. Meetings are scheduled monthly until June or July 2011 when the Beach Road Strategy is to be completed.

The aim of the SRG is to ensure key stakeholders are involved in identifying issues, considering data, research and other relevant considerations and have an opportunity to provide feedback and input.

It is intended that this engagement process builds an understanding of the issues based on data and evidence and that there is a broad consensus (or understanding and acceptance) of the process.

The SRG is independently chaired by PLUM Communication.

Nominated representatives  Beach Road Corridor Strategy Stakeholder Reference Group (PDF, 14KB)

Purpose of the SRG

The purpose of the SRG is to provide VicRoads and Bayside City and Kingston Councils with an opportunity to better understand and consider community views on a range of issues relevant to the development of the Beach Road Corridor Strategy. It will serve in an advisory, rather than decision-making capacity.

The SRG represents a diverse range of community interests and accordingly members of the SRG may hold varied and diverse views on particular issues.

The SRG is established in line with the strategic objective for community engagement to provide a range of opportunities for the community to actively engage in Council’s decision-making activities.

Role of the SRG

The role of the SRG is to provide advice to VicRoads and Bayside City and Kingston Councils on the key issues associated with the development of the Beach Road Corridor Strategy. This process will include the following:

  • discussing issues, briefing papers and reports relevant to the development of the Strategy;
  • applying particular expertise and knowledge related to community interests during these discussions; and
  • Review feedback from the community, key stakeholders and community interest groups.
  • Consider technical solutions proposed by the Technical Stream of the project.
  • Evaluation of the 12 month trial for the weekend clearways on Beach Road.

While it is preferred that there is consistency in membership, it is understood that members may need to send substitutes to meetings. Members may be consulted individually on specific issues as needed.

It is understood that consensus may not be reached amongst members on the issues discussed.

SRG Progress Update

The SRG first met in December 2010, and monthly meetings will be held from February to June/July 2011.

Minutes for recent meetings are attached for your information and regular updates of SRG meetings will be provided here:

Options for Beach Road Corridor Strategy – have your say

During May 2011 draft options for the Beach Road Corridor Strategy were provided to the SRG, key stakeholders and members of the public for comment via a community consultation paper  ‘Let us know what you think’ (PDF,1.81MB)   The deadline for feedback closed on 7 June 2011, and comments are now being collated for reporting to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 23 August 2011

Contact for more information

For more information about the No Stopping Trial and /or the Beach Road Corridor Strategy Development, please contact Council via email to: enquiries@bayside.vic.gov.au, or by phone on 9599 4444. 

'No Stopping' zones trial and Beach Road Corridor Strategy Frequently Asked Questions

When did the ‘No Stopping’ trial commence?
Saturday 6 November 2010

When will it end?
It is a 12 month trial which ends in November 2011. Following evaluation the ‘No Stopping’ zones may be discontinued, modified or made permanent, or the trial extended. However if the trial is successful it may be extended or made permanent.

How will the success of the trial be determined?
Officers of Kingston, Bayside and VicRoads as well as a reference group comprising key stakeholders, including community representatives, (for details see: ‘Who will be involved in the Corridor Strategy’) will consider the success in line with the following:

  1. Community Safety – analysis of all recorded incidents and accidents including VicRoads Crash stats, Sandringham Hospital crash data analysis and any incidents reports to VicRoads or the councils.
  2. Cyclist Behaviour – including video surveillance and Police reports to measure number of occasions riders ride more than 2 abreast in situations when not overtaking; ride in more than one lane; do not maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front; travel in a group that exceeds 30; red light running; do not use hand signals; or breach any other Road Rules.
  3. Impact on motorists – measure the extent to which cyclist packs delay motorists.
  4. Impact on pedestrians – measure the extent to which cyclist packs delay pedestrians crossing Beach Road at selected places of pedestrian concentrations.
  5. Impact of noise – sample survey of local residents to determine any perceived changes in noise levels associated with cyclists.
  6. Vehicle parking – measure the occupancy rates and usage patterns of vehicle parking in the foreshore carparks and intersecting streets.
  7. Impact of local business – sample survey of local businesses to determine if the trial has had any impact on their business.
  8. Recreational amenity – sample survey of cyclists to measure levels of satisfaction with their total experience of accessing and using the Bay Trail and/or Beach Road.

Bayside City Council will then decide on the future of the ‘No Stopping’ zones.
 
At what times do the restrictions apply?
Saturdays and Sundays from 6am to 10am.

Can I stop for a short time?
No. ‘No Stopping’ zones do not allow anyone to stop at any time.

Can I park on the nature strip?
No. In accordance with the State Government’s Road Safety Regulations 2009 it is illegal to park on the nature strip.

Will any exceptions be made?
During the trial, the “No Stopping’ zones will be enforced by Council and Victoria Police in the same way as other parking and traffic controls. Council may issue a warning notice during the first two weekends, however Route 33/Beach Road comes under the jurisdiction of the State Government and VicRoads, and Council understands that Victoria Police do not typically issue warnings.

Where can I leave my vehicle during these hours?
Vehicles can be parked in any unrestricted car spaces in surrounding streets or in Foreshore Car Parks. Bayside residents can obtain Beach Parking Permits to park in foreshore car parks, free of charge for all vehicles registered to a Bayside address.

What is the Beach Road Corridor Strategy?
Bayside City Council in conjunction with Kingston City Council and VicRoads are developing a Beach Road Corridor Strategy to comprehensively address safety and amenity issues for all Beach Road users. The Corridor Strategy will identify these issues along Beach Road and where possible propose solutions.

The State Government committed $1.5 million to implement the solutions with $500,000 allocated to the completion of the southern end of the Shared path Bay Trail. In developing the strategy it’s acknowledged that Beach Road is important to many users and all viewpoints will be considered via a public consultation process.  ‘Let us know what you think’ (PDF,1.81MB)   

Who will be involved in the Corridor Strategy?
Public consultation on the proposed community engagement process for the Corridor Strategy includes a Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG), and a range of community engagement activities.

Community engagement activities include:

  • providing draft strategy options for public comment via direct mail and on website (May 2011)
  • displaying draft strategy options at Council office (May 2011)
  • meeting with key stakeholders to discuss draft strategy options (April/May)

I have views or information I want to communicate to Council or the reference group – how can I do this?
You can communicate your views by:

  • Downloading the community consultation paper  ‘Let us know what you think’ (PDF,1.81MB)  
  • Sending an email to: enquiries@bayside.vic.gov.au
  • Calling Council 9599 4444.

I need further information - who can I talk to?
Call Bayside City Council on 9599 4444 or email enquiries@bayside.vic.gov.au


Page last updated: 07 Sep 2011