What is the St Kilda Road joint action plan?
In a bid to provide more effective services to residents living in the St Kilda Road precinct, the City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne have developed a joint action plan aimed at implementing integrated approaches to key planning, social and economic development issues.
The joint action plan addresses a number of issues including:
- parking, access and transport
- streetscape design and maintenance
- signage and street numbers
- community building and support
- communication and access to council support services
- urban design
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Background
The proposal for a St Kilda Road Joint Action Plan was developed in response to the need for effective management of the St Kilda Road precinct irrespective of the location of the municipal boundary. The precinct is a diverse and viable area with a growing population, economic activity and demand for services and amenity. It is a premier street in Melbourne with an international reputation.
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Research
In 2003, the cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne jointly commissioned an assessment of the provision of social infrastructure in relation to community needs to the St Kilda Road and Southbank precincts. The assessment offered an important opportunity to assess the impact of social development issues in relation to significant development over the past decade. The research process brought together quantitative data regarding population change and service provision with qualitative research regarding community needs and values. Other information was also gathered from:
- The Southbank/St Kilda Road Neighbourhood Audit
- The St Kilda Road Precinct Group meetings, Neighbourhood Forums and consultation activities conducted over the past few years.
- Information on resident and business activities within the precinct, obtained from the Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE) and ABS national Census data.
- Council records on the various municipal assets within the precinct (eg street trees, street furniture, road surfaces, signs, etc.)
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What the research found
The Port Phillip precinct of the study experienced dramatic development and demographic change in recent years. With the population increasing by 65 per cent over a period of five years (census period 1996-2001), the location has emerged as a key residential precinct within the City of Port Phillip, with needs for access to a range of community and health services, community information, facilities and local open space. As the residential population intensifies, amenity issues have become more apparent and considerations for strategic planning have emerged.
Through research and consultation, the study identified a range of considerations for social infrastructure planning at the local level and an untapped capacity in relation to building a sense of community. The findings indicate a reliance on services and community facilities outside the immediate neighbourhood, most notably within South Melbourne, but also Fawkner Park (City of Melbourne) and Carlisle Street (City of Port Phillip), for residents at the southern end of St Kilda Road.
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Where to next?
As a result of the research findings, an action plan was adopted by the two councils in September 2004. Since then both councils have been working on a number of joint projects. A progress report showed that there has been significant progress in a number of areas. In particular progress has been made on:
- improving access for pedestrians and bicycles along St Kilda Road,
- reaching agreements on road/footpath design and maintenance standards,
- providing street life projects in the area and
- gaining community support by holding neighbourhood forums in 2005 and 2006.
It is important to note that the City of Melbourne has commenced work on a boulevard strategy which will inform the design and maintenance standards for all the City of Melbourne boulevards and in particular St Kilda Road.
There is also considerable agreement between the councils on strategic land use, and strategic transport issues arising out of their work on the Inner Melbourne Action Plan (IMAP).
View the July 2005 Council status report on agreed joint actions  City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne Joint Action Plan and City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne Joint Action Plan - Attachments.
Or visit the Neighbourhood Forum pages to read the minutes of the 2005 St Kilda Road Joint Neighbourhood Forum
The council has prepared  St Kilda Road Streetscape Protocols which outline the existing roles and responsibilities for maintaining the whole streetscape along St Kilda Road. It also outlines the current St Kilda Road Boulevard Study and its scope of works.
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More information
For more information contact ASSIST via eServices or phone (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713.
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