Streets Alive Darebin: Submission to Darebin Council’s Climate Emergency Plan 2024 -2030 (pdf)

We are a Darebin resident & ratepayer action group with a vision for thriving neighbourhoods where streets are used by people of all ages, irrespective of whether they choose to walk, cycle, use public transport or drive.

Streets Alive Darebin exists to create the Darebin of the future, that is fit for purpose for high-density living to accommodate future population growth, centred around the concept of the 20-minute city. To achieve this, infrastructure investment should focus on social, health and environmental benefits of living in the City of Darebin, including:

• Attractive, safe and direct access to key amenities including shopping, healthcare, education and recreation for that prioritises walking, cycling and rolling.

• Public spaces that support social interaction outside of the home that are welcoming and sustainable, with appropriate infrastructure such as street furniture and lighting to support people of all ages and abilities to move freely and safely for the enjoyment of those who live, work and study in Darebin.

• Provide safe and easy access to footpaths and cycleways that are wellconnected through a strategically designed network, to provide easy access throughout Darebin for people of all ages and abilities.

• Increase people’s connection with their local environment through trees and built environment.

In response to the Draft Climate Emergency Plan 2024 – 2030 consultation we are supportive of the Plan and note the leadership that Darebin has played in being the first Council to declare a Climate Emergency.

We note that one of its goals is to move towards zero-emissions transport, reducing congestion and dependence on cars. We consider that Darebin Council can take act now to achieve this Goal through the following actions:

Accessible tram stops: Enable easy access to trams for users of all ages and abilities, including those using mobility aids as well as pushers & prams.

Separation - for safety: Separated bike lanes provide a safety buffer between parked cars and bicycle lane users, preventing cyclist deaths from dangerous 'dooring' crashes.

Wider footpaths: Provides an opportunity for re-planting this important economic and social corridor. Street trees provide shade, increase biodiversity and reduce onstreet temperatures on hot days.

Pedestrian friendly design: Traffic reduction and reallocation of on-street parking provides a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape.

Intersection safety: Intersections along High Street urgently need safety upgrades to prevent crashes and pedestrian deaths.

Specific comments on actions in the Climate Emergency Plan.

We note that the proposed solutions to reducing car dependence are articulated as: improved infrastructure for active and public transport, with Actions/Targets listed being:

By 2030, Darebin’s community has access to infrastructure and programs which make active and sustainable transport a real choice for people, resulting in fewer cars on roads and a transition to zeroemissions vehicles that reduces transport emissions by at least 45%.

What proportion of emissions reductions is due to modal shift and what to electric cars, could this be disaggregated? What are the actions that Council is proposing to take that will directly contribute to this emissions reduction? for example electric car uptake is mainly driven by Commonwealth and State governments whereas driving active transport choices primarily sits with Council.

2.4.1 Include a plan for achieving zero carbon mobility and access in the new Darebin Transport Strategy (to be developed after the current strategy sunsets in 2025).

A commitment to a new Darebin Transport Strategy is welcomed however an Strategy must be accompanied with an investment plan that prioritises capital works and education programs with a commitment to building the appropriate street and road infrastructure. This needs to include targets.

2.4.2 Continue to implement the Darebin Electric Vehicle Policy to facilitate the expansion of the electric vehicle network by partnering with the Northern Council Alliance to implement the Community Electric Vehicle Transition Plan for public car charging including facilitating the installation of 66 public electric vehicle chargers within Darebin.

Any on-street park charging plan and policy must not prevent future works that provide for pedestrian and bike riding infrastructure.

2.4.3 Advocate to the Victorian Government to give people real transport choices through increased funding for cycling and walking infrastructure and programs

Darebin Council can’t expect the Victorian Government to invest in active transport if it does not have a program of investment in key cycling routes its self. By abandoning its Streets for People plan that identified 8 designated sustainable transport corridors that traverse the municipality and its grid network (2 north-south aligned corridors and 6 aligned east-west corridors) it is unable to offer any strategic investment plan or advocacy vison to Victorian Government. How is Darebin intending to effectively advocate to the Victorian Government if it has not meaningful commitment in this space in order to leverage State action and/or funding?

improved access to electrified public transport, particularly for underserved communities, including an electric orbital bus route along the proposed Suburban Rail Loop corridor and extending the Number 11 tram to Reservoir Train Station.

What about DDA compliant tram stops for Route 86? The Victorian Government has not committed to fund these upgrades- this should be highlighted in the Plan and given visibility by Council in order to keep this potential investment on the Victorian Government and Council’s agenda.

2.2.1 Create a program that provides tailored household support and a financing mechanism to support electrification and renewable energy, with a target of engaging 1000 Darebin households per year.

We consider that Darebin’s award-winning solar saver program should be expended to include the purchase of e bikes. A pilot could be run in the first instance.

Darebin’s streets (within the confines of the road reserve) are more than ever befor under pressure to support private vehicle movements, alongside other mor environmentally sustainable modes of movement, in particular for cyclists an pedestrians – where conflicts can be serious.

Given the well acknowledged, climate, sustainability and health and well-being benefits of these ‘people powered’ modes of movement, Council needs to do more to accommodate them within the road reservation.