Carparks removed to upgrade bike path forces residents to park next to safe injecting room
A new bike path has sparked chaos in Richmond, with the loss of almost half available parking forcing Elizabeth St residents to leave their cars near the controversial safe injecting room.
Melbourne City
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Richmond residents are fuming after a plan to improve bike safety in the area has swallowed up almost half the available parking.
The move has seen existing bike paths upgraded to protected bike lanes with the removal of 66 car parks on Elizabeth St, where 5000 people live – leaving little to no parking for carers, visitors and those with a disability forced to exit their cars by stepping into oncoming traffic.
Locals now unable to park outside their homes turn to the only remaining free car parks, those near the safe injecting room, where they say frequent car break ins and alleged drug deals have left them fearing for their safety.
Council has come under fire for allowing only 10 days of community consultation before construction began and provided limited translations.
The most recent ABS data shows 82 per cent of living in the housing flats do not speak English at home.
Jenny Duong who lives on Elizabeth St has been helping the Vietnamese community with translation, said council has made little to no effort to address their safety concerns.
“Non of the translated material has been easily accessible, particularly for the elderly,” she said
“Council have ignored residents, they have done little to nothing with feedback. We feel very unsafe.
“We can’t park in front of our homes and now park far away and then walk home, you’re fearful for your life. I wouldn’t feel safe walking down the street after dark.”
Coronavirus restrictions have posed an additional barrier with online access the only way to pass on feedback to council, leaving elderly residents at a loss.
President of Streets Alive Yarra Inc Jeremy Lawrence said the loss of parking for residents is unfortunate but the rate of growth in out population does not allow for individual street parking.
“Research from Monash University indicates that as we come out of COVID restrictions, Melbourne will experience a 55% increase in cycling. The trial is perfectly placed to enable Yarra to support this boom,” he said.
“We have empathy for local residents who now have fewer on-street parking bays to choose from. Unfortunately, as our population grows by 50% to 2040, we will be less able to offer an on-street parking bay for each resident or organisation who desires one.
“Instead, we need to deliver safe access for more people by allocating space to more geometrically efficient modes of transport, such as walking to & from public transport, and cycling.”
In a council meeting last week 25 locals raised concerns and suggestions to council – who voted in favour of the trial.
Councillors Stephen Jolly and Bridgid O’Brien have told residents if re-elected they will seek a compromise between cyclists, drivers and residents.
“It’s a sociopathic lack of empathy for the Vietnamese community,” Mr Jolly said.
“They (residents) are so angry, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“This will decide the upcoming council election.”
The trial will continue for 12 months with council agreeing to add more in the carpark located near the safe injecting room and install one disabled parking spot.
Residents have told the Melbourne City News they are not anti-cyclist but seek a compromises on parking availability, safety and adjustments to the width of the protected bike lanes.
They seek to boot out the current council during the upcoming election in order to see change.
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au