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In 2020 and 2021 our busiest Little Streets in the CBD underwent a trial period to improve safety and amenity for all road users.
We tested reduced speed limits, shared zones, and other changes to make our Little Streets easier to move around. We asked the community for feedback, which we are now taking on board, as well as key learnings from the trial.
We are now getting on with the job of upgrading some of the busiest sections in our Little Streets, which will involve upgrading:
- Little Lonsdale Street, between Swanston Street and Queen Street, to create new shared zones, road humps, wider footpaths and other upgrades.
- Little Bourke Street, between King Street and Spencer Street, to include a new shared zone, wider footpaths, new plants and trees.
- Flinders Lane, between Elizabeth and and Swanston Streets, to create a safer shared zone in an area that will become busier than ever before with the opening of the Metro Tunnel in 2025.
Read a summary of the changes below.
The Little Street transformations were designed to make it safer for people to move around our busiest streets, regardless of their mode of transport. They are also aimed at improving amenity, creating inviting spaces for our residents and encouraging people to visit the city and our businesses.
We chose locations that are congested with high foot traffic, have a high number of shops, cafes and restaurants, and paid on-street car parking spaces that can be converted to create more room for people and local businesses.
The changes to these Little Streets include:
- Reducing the speed limit from 40km/h to 20km/h on Flinders Lane, Little Collins, Little Bourke and Little Lonsdale Streets
- Introducing shared zones and traffic calming measures
- Creating more space for pedestrians
- Improving safety for bike riders
- Maintaing 24-hour access for deliveries and essential car trips
New 20 km/h speed limits, speed bumps, give way stencils and planter boxes were introduced in all one-way sections of Little Lonsdale Street, Little Bourke Street, Little Collins Street and Flinders Lane in September 2020.
The new 20 km/h speed limits and shared zones were part of an 18-month trial supported by the Victorian Government and allowed us to evaluate changes before making them permanent. This part of the project was delivered by the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government through the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund.
Following on from the Little Streets Shared Zone Review, we are now implementing permanent streetscape upgrades aligned with the long-term vision identified in the Transport Strategy 2030. Works are currently in progress for the following streets:
- Little Lonsdale Street: since 2021, we have completed upgrades between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street. The final stage of works between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street will be completed in early 2025.
- Little Bourke Street: we are currently finalising the proposed designs for the streetscape upgrades. Works are expected to start in late April/early May 2025.
- Flinders Lane: we are preparing initial designs and notifications to consult with the community for proposed upgrades between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street.
Consultation closed
News
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Transport Strategy 2030 endorsed by Future Melbourne Committee
15 October 2019
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Key stakeholders engaged to inform detailed design of Little Streets
Mid 2020
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Little Streets shared zones
Roll-out of new 20 km/h speed limits and shared zones
September 2020
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Timeline item 4 - complete
Extended outdoor dining applications open
1 October 2020
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Timeline item 5 - complete
Community consultation and ongoing user experience
Community feedback collected throughout this time will help us to continually monitor and identify where improvements are needed and inform the long term plans for more permanent transformation in the future.
2020 to 2024
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Timeline item 6 - complete
Little Streets Shared Zone Review presented to Future Melbourne Committee
The findings of the Little Streets Shared Zone review were shared with FMC as well as plans to implement streetscape improvements and further interventions to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.
23 April 2024
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Timeline item 7 - complete
Little Streets permanently become 20km/h zones
July 2024
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Timeline item 8 - active
Little Streets streetscape upgrades
Staged rollout of streetscape upgrades to Little Streets.
Ongoing from 2021
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Timeline item 9 - active
Little Lonsdale Street, between Swanston Street and Queen Street
Works ongoing from 2023
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Timeline item 10 - active
Little Bourke Street, between King Street and Spencer Street
Works to commence early 2025
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Timeline item 11 - incomplete
Flinders Lane, between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street
2025
Community consultation
Feedback we heard on the Little Streets project from December 2020 to April 2024.
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