Making Boroondara Walkable...

Recently the City of Boroondara developed the Kew Junction Walkability Strategy and the Glenferrie Precinct Walkability Study. Both strategies aim to improve the pedestrian environment in these locations in terms of quality, amenity and safety to encourage increased walking.

Improving the walkability, or ‘pedestrian friendliness’ in Boroondara is highly prioritised, and it is well linked to the key directions of the City of Boroondara’s 2009-2014 Council Plan, including Strengthening Communities, Liveability and Amenity, Enhancing the Environment and Responsibly Managing Resources. Please visit www.boroondara.vic.gov.au to download copies of the walkability strategies and the 2009-2014 Council Plan.

Kew Junction and Glenferrie Shopping Precinct

Boroondara, Kew Junction

Raised Pedestrian Crosswalks

The City of Boroondara has recently installed several raised pedestrian crosswalks in the Kew Junction Precinct to improve the level of safety for all users by reducing the speed of vehicles entering side streets and providing good access these streets.  In addition, the treatments will have a positive visual impact and contribute to the aesthetic quality of the walking environment within the community.

This raised cross walk and others in the Kew Junction have been installed through the Department of Transport LAAP (Local Area Access Program) and co-funded by the City of Boroondara.  A total of 8 are planned within the Kew Junction Precinct in line with recommendations from the Walkability Strategy.  Similar treatments are also planned for intersections in the Glenferrie Precinct with 3 already constructed and an additional 6 planned.

Introducing Wayfinding Schemes 

- Boroondara WayfindingThe City of Boroondara is in the process of introducing pedestrian wayfinding schemes for Kew Junction and the Glenferrie Shopping Precinct, with both schemes scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.

In terms of its application to the Kew Junction Precinct, the wayfinding scheme would include the development of information and directional signage to aid shoppers, visitors, residents, school children, workers and others to easily to find their way in the area.

In addition, the Glenferrie Shopping Precinct will also aid Swinburne University and college students, workers and others to easily find their way in the area.

Reducing Speed Limits within Shopping Precincts

The City of Boroondara is committed to improving road safety and reducing the number of road crash fatalities and injuries in the City, as outlined in its Road Safety Strategy.

In the City of Boroondara, Whitehorse Road (Balwyn Shopping Centre) and Glenferrie Road (Glenferrie Precinct) are 40km/h zones. The 40km/h zones aim to reduce vehicle speeds in high pedestrian activity centres such as shopping strips to improve pedestrian safety through the creation of a safer walking environment.

Council has lodged applications for its remaining key strip shopping centres to become 40km/h zones and is awaiting State Government approval in this regard.

Travel Behaviour Change Programs

Since 2006, the City of Boroondara has been involved with the Department of Transport in their ‘TravelSmart’ behaviour change program, which includes promoting walking as well as cycling, taking public transport, carpooling etc.

TravelSmart partner organisations in Boroondara include businesses, offices, universities and primary schools to date. Through surveys, Council has determined that there has been an increase in walking, as well as other sustainable transport modes by staff and students of TravelSmart partner organisations.

Council also has its own sustainable transport competition for its primary schools, entitled the Get2School Cool Challenge where primary school students travel by any sustainable transport method to and from school one day and record which method they took, and the estimated number of kilometres that they travelled sustainably.  Many children choose to walk to school on this day, as well as others. Winners are chosen either according to the largest number or percentage of participating students per school, as well as largest number of kilometres travelled sustainably and estimated kilograms of carbon dioxide saved from being emitted into the atmosphere.  To date thousands of Boroondara children from 24 local primary schools have participated in this event, saving approximately 1,800 kilograms of carbon dioxide from being emitted!

Walking School Bus (WSB)

The City of Boroondara remains committed to expanding the WSB program. Currently 13 schools participate with over 500 registered children and approx 200 trained parent volunteers walking to school thanks to the program.

Some of the benefits of the WSB program are

  • Get to school safely, conveniently and on time;
  • Learn about traffic safety and good road sense;
  • Have a chance to build friendships; and
  • Get regular physical activity and exercise.


The Walking School Bus logo is a trademark of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).

Lighting and Separating Shared Paths

Lighting and Shared Footpaths
Lighting project, Dorothy Laver Reserve and separation project, Winton Road (Gardiners Creek Trail)

Recently the City of Boroondara has implemented innovative lighting and separation projects on sections of the Gardiners Creek Trail (shared bicycle pedestrian path) to increase safety and amenity for pedesetrians and cyclists.

Other Walkability Improvement Related Initiatives

 

 Walpole Street, Kew (new crossing)

- Boroondara Walpole St

 

  • Provision of new crossing facilities, i.e. Walpole Street, Kew zebra crossing and Burke Avenue, Hawthorn East zebra crossing (under construction currently);
  • New footpath construction, i.e. Jocelyn Street, Surrey Hills;
  • New and improved lighting along key pedestrian access routes;
  • Ongoing program for pram crossing upgrades and maintenance e.g. Balwyn Village, Camberwell Junction, Greythorn Shopping Centre and Union Road Shopping Centre;
  • Asset Management Program – footpaths regularly audited and improvements are undertaken;
  • Vegetation Maintenance;
  • Support for Walktober and Walktober events including Walk to School Day and Walk to Work Day;
  • Developing new walking and walkability initiatives for older pedestrians;
  • Regular footpath sweeping program, and
  • Street furniture policy to provide good access on footpaths.

 

City of Boroondara Contacts

 

For more information on:

 

1. Sustainable Transport, contact 9278 4542;

2. Walking School Bus, contact 9278 4768; and

3. Traffic Engineering for walkability and road safety, contact 9278 4518.