Observations and discussions with the Working Group suggest that many of the vehicles currently parking in Kavanagh and Balston Streets – particularly at night-time and on weekends – are not owned by residents or their visitors, but by visitors of surrounding attractions (such as Crown Casino, Southbank restaurants, the Arts Centre, Marvel Stadium or the CBD). These visitors may be parking in Kavanagh or Balston Streets in order to obtain long-term free parking.

New '3 hour limit (free)' parking restrictions are proposed to operate every night from 6.30pm to 11pm, and all day Sunday. This would offer a reasonable length visit, while discouraging long-term parking by visitors of surrounding attractions.

Visitors who arrive after 8pm at night would be able to stay the remainder of the night.

Yes. The original design proposed a net loss of 50 parking spaces, however the Working Group expressed concerns about impact to local residents.

Opportunities to install additional on-street parking were investigated with Balston Street determined to be the best option. The roadway in Balston Street is wide enough to allow angled parking on one side of the street and parallel parking on the other side.

While this proposal will narrow traffic lanes, it will have safety and amenity benefits as motorists will be required to slow down and give way to motorists manoeuvring in and out of parking spaces. This will ‘calm’ traffic movements in this local residential street.

Various alternate designs were considered, including a two-way bike path on one side of Kavanagh St, however the proposed bike lane design is the only appropriate option in order to provide safe, kerbside separated bike lanes.

All other options restricted vehicle access, through narrowed traffic lanes and lack of space for angled parking.

Other options would also have resulted in 1.5 to 1.6 metre wide bike lanes, which do not comply with City of Melbourne Design Guidelines. Additionally, a two-way bike lane on the south side of Kavanagh Street would have provided poor connectivity for cyclists travelling to Southbank Boulevard.

One-way traffic flows could have benefits in maintaining on-street parking, however would likely result in accessibility concerns for residents and increase vehicle circulation.

In particular, local residents exiting the West Gate Freeway during the evening peak period are currently unable to turn right from Power Street into Kavanagh Street. A one-way northbound traffic flow would mean they're also unable to enter Kavanagh Street from Southbank Boulevard, and would be required to exit the West Gate Freeway at Montague Street and travel for a distance of 2.2km. This would be in direct conflict with the City Road Masterplan, which aims to downgrade the section of City Road between Balston Street and Montague Street.

One-way northbound traffic controls would also result in increased traffic volumes on Balston Street, affecting the addition of extra parking.

Yes, eight new trees will be planted within the roadway on Balston Street. This will improve canopy coverage and the aesthetics of the streetscape and aligns with our Urban Forest Strategy.

The original design of Kavanagh Street has been modified to include a painted median, which could also provide a future location for tree installation.