Elizabeth Street (Little Collins Street to La Trobe Street)

• Which blocks will be closed to traffic?

• The Elizabeth Street Opportunities Plan proposes simultaneous closures occurring at the following locations:

  Full closure of Elizabeth Street in the blocks between:

  • La Trobe and Little Lonsdale Streets
  • Little Bourke and Bourke Streets.

  East-side closure of Elizabeth Street in the blocks between:

  • Little Lonsdale and Lonsdale Streets
  • Bourke and Little Collins Streets.

  The block between Lonsdale and Little Bourke Streets will remain open to vehicles, but the east-side may be considered for closure at some time in the distant future.

• How will the traffic be redistributed and what impacts will redistribution have on the wider network?

• Detailed traffic modelling using an advanced software package known as Sidra Intersection (SIDRA) has been undertaken. This software tests both “single-intersection” as well as “network-wide” impact analysis of capacity, level of service and other traffic performance parameters associated with the plan. The results revealed that the proposed closures will have an insignificant impact on traffic on the surrounding road network.

• How will lane closures impact deliveries to businesses and surrounding on-street parking/loading?

• Whilst this plan does propose some areas of restricted vehicle access, a large extent of the western side of Elizabeth Street is proposed to remain open to vehicles.

  Vehicles will still be able to move between two city blocks on the western side, maintaining local access, business servicing and delivery requirements.

  The current number of on-street disabled and loading parking spaces will be retained, however some in alternate locations on Elizabeth Street, ensuring accessibility and continuity of business servicing.

• What bicycle access will be provided in the reconfigured blocks?

• To support local cyclist connectivity and attract more people to ride bikes, dedicated bicycle lanes will be provided in the reconfigured blocks.

  Whilst Elizabeth Street is not a major cycle route, numerous cyclists currently use Elizabeth Street, and 73% have destinations either on Elizabeth Street or one block to the east/west, emphasising the role it plays in servicing local bicycle trip connectivity.

  The final profile of the street, including best approach to bicycle lane design and streetscape accessibility, will be determined at detailed design stage.

• What changes are proposed to on-street trading?

• This plan for Elizabeth Street aims to support street activation whilst also maximising space for pedestrians.

  In the blocks where there are tram stops, street trading will be limited to prioritise space for pedestrian movement and access to trams and reduce street clutter.

  For the remainder of the street, street activation is encouraged. In these blocks, permits for outdoor dining will be assessed on a case by case basis with regard to spatial constraints and surrounding uses, and balancing amenity for public furniture and amenities.

• When will construction works commence?

• Construction of opportunities outlined in this plan will follow detailed design and be subject to funding and appropriate timing in relation to other major projects and construction works occurring around the city.

• What are the recommendations for awning design?

• To allow for additional tree planting and views to the sky and buildings above, we would encourage a reduction to the width of large external awnings to allow space for trees. Any changes to existing building awnings would be undertaken at the discretion of building owners and must comply with the City of Melbourne road encroachment operational guidelines.

• What are the recommendations for flood management?

• The final streetscape design will be completed in consultation with Melbourne Water and include innovative approaches to water management.

  Measures will include tree planting beds and larger access drains for increased water infiltration, allowing water to be swiftly drained into the substantial underground pipes.

  Flooding impacts will also be addressed through the Elizabeth Street Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP). The IWMP proposes initiatives throughout the entire catchment area that will reduce impacts downstream in Elizabeth Street, including the recently constructed two million litre flood mitigation tank at the top of the Elizabeth Street catchment at Lincoln Square.

• Will the issue of streetscape clutter be addressed?

• The opportunities plan identifies a number of key actions for achieving the strategic aspiration for Elizabeth Street.

  The first action is to de-clutter and rationalise infrastructure within pedestrian spaces. This includes:

  • removal of unnecessary objects from the footpath
  • consideration of bicycle and motorcycle parking
  • positioning of objects such as street furniture
  • removing ageing or obsolete services located on the footpaths (e.g. service cabinets, bins)
  • consolidating tram and light poles where possible.

Elizabeth Street South (Flinders Street to Flinders Lane)

• ​Why did you focus on this section of Elizabeth Street first?

• The southern end of Elizabeth Street acts as a major gateway to Melbourne’s retail and commercial heart and defines many people’s first impression and welcome to the city centre.

  The Elizabeth Street/Flinders Street intersection is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the CBD with over 9,000 pedestrians using it during the morning peak. Despite the volume of pedestrians, this section of Elizabeth Street is characterised by poor amenity and highly constrained pedestrian space. Pedestrian volumes on Elizabeth Street are expected to increase once construction of the Metro Tunnel Project starts.

  The southern section of Elizabeth Street has the highest number of pedestrians across the length of the street. Pedestrians outnumber all other modes of transport in the area but have the least amount of space.

  Overall, this section of Elizabeth Street does not meet the needs of our constantly growing city.

• How will the upgrade improve this section of Elizabeth Street?

• Pedestrians and tram users make up 96% of the people using this part of Elizabeth Street in both the weekday morning and afternoon peak hours. During the morning peak (8 to 9am), there are on average 9,300 pedestrians using footpaths on both sides of this section of Elizabeth Street – that’s more than on the corresponding block of Swanston Street.

  In contrast, the number of motor vehicles using Elizabeth Street in the morning and afternoon peak times is very low (73 and 122 motor vehicles per hour respectively). Between 2004 and 2015 there was a 65% decline in the number of motor vehicles using Elizabeth Street.

  The street is not being used as a through-route. It caters predominantly for local needs – as very few vehicles that enter at La Trobe Street travel the full length southbound to reach the southern end of Elizabeth Street (equivalent to only 14 vehicles in the morning peak).

  The upgrade will allow the available space in the south-end of Elizabeth Street to be used better. Re-configuring the space will reduce congestion by allowing pedestrians to move more freely and efficiently through the area and improve access to public transport at the tram stop and Flinders Street Station.

• How will amenity be improved?

• The proposed closure of this section of Elizabeth Street is designed to create a bigger pedestrian area and a better space for people with new bluestone paving, street furniture, lighting and street trees. Drainage improvement works will be undertaken at the same time.
  

• ​Will there be changes to traffic flow systems?

• Because the number of vehicles using the space is so low – the equivalent of two vehicles per minute at the busiest time – the newly configured space will not impact traffic flow through the rest of the city.

  There won’t be any need for new traffic treatments, other than modifications to traffic signals at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Flinders Lane to account for the need to turn all southbound traffic right into Flinders Lane. Vehicles will still be able to travel along Elizabeth Street in a northbound direction between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane.
  

• Will there be changes to the tram stop?

• We are working with Public Transport Victoria and Yarra Trams to understand where opportunities exist to improve the existing tram stop.

• How will the road closure impact emergency access?

• The design of the new space includes access to buildings for emergency vehicles.