Streets Alive Yarra congratulates the nine councillors elected for the 2021 to 2024 term. Also, we congratulate Cr de Vietri on being elected Mayor, and Cr Nguyen as deputy Mayor. Overall, it looks like a clear majority of councillors support walking, cycling, public transport, trees and local area place making. We look forward to working with Council to make Yarra a beautiful, liveable and accessible city.

Streets Alive Yarra is building an online record of broad community support for walking, cycling, public transport and place making. One way that we do this is to have local residents stand up as champions for their street, school or neighbourhood. Please welcome our newest champions:

• Rebecca Feingold, our champion for Gold Street
• David Balding, our champion for Better for Parking
• Sarah Cather – our champion for Elizabeth Street
• Marlou – our local champion for for Richmond High School

The City of Yarra is asking for feedback to help develop a community vision for 2035. Feedback is due by 15th January 2020. Streets Alive Yarra is preparing a submission and will share it before the due date. 

The City of Yarra is asking for feedback on proposed amendments to the Yarra Planning Scheme. Feedback is due by 4th December 2020. Streets Alive Yarra is preparing a submission and will share it before the due date. In general, we support the proposed amendments.

The UK’s leading walking and cycling organisations are backing plans to get more people walking and cycling, via a new report "The urgent case for more walking and cycling in the UK". The report gives 10 reasons to encourage walking and cycling in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs):

1. People want Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and cycle lanes, and opposition has been inflated
2. LTNs and cycle lanes reduce congestion
3. LTNs and cycle lanes are good for business
4. LTNs and cycle lanes help disability access
5. LTNs and cycle lanes can reduce response times for emergency services
6. Pop-up LTNs and cycle lanes are part of a consultation process – and not necessarily permanent if they don’t work
7. There is widespread public support for LTNs and cycle lanes
8. LTNs reduce congestion rather than simply pushing traffic elsewhere
9. If we build cycle lanes and LTNs, people will use them
10. Active travel schemes are great value for money.