Melbourne City council consults children on proposed traffic changes around Kings Domain

Child consultants too young to drive have given the green light to closing a key road through Kings Domain so they can play games and hear birds instead of cars.

THE opinions of five-year-old children is being used by Melbourne City council to decide the future of a road.

The consultants too young to drive have been quizzed by the council to decide whether the road through Kings Domain should close.

The children aged 5-12 said they wanted to close Linlithgow Ave to through traffic to allow them more space to roll down hills, play tag and hear birds chirp instead of the sound of cars.

An aerial view of the Domain Parklands.

The council asked 90 children about the traffic changes proposed in a 20-year plan for the inner-city ­Domain Parklands, including Kings Domain and nearby gardens.

The council said it asked children their opinions as they were “future users” of the parks.

“As the master plan is a 20-year document it was important to engage with and consult children and young people as they are the future users of the area,” environment portfolio chair Cr Cathy Oke said.

“The Domain Parklands are a ­treasured and important part of Melbourne and as such we want to ­ensure they’re managed well into the future.”

The council floated closing Linlithgow Ave south to through traffic, as well as temporarily shutting other streets to prioritise pedestrians, ­cyclists and events.

Parking could also be slashed from all-day to a maximum of five hours before being axed altogether to make way for dedicated bike lanes.

The car crackdown got the thumbs up during the council’s “children’s consultation” sessions, “embedded” in a junior rangers school holiday program.

Melbourne City council environment portfolio chair Cr Cathy Oke. Picture: Supplied

“The children thought closing the road for people to use it was a good idea,” a report said.

“When asked what they could do with the space they described games to play, using bikes, and that ‘there would be nothing to stop you crossing’.”

While the potential road closures and car park removals won over the kids, it sparked strong opposition from others, including those who said it would stop people visiting the parks.

The Shire of Remembrance Trustees opposed closing Birdwood ­Ave, fearing it would affect patrons who were mobility impaired.

The Melbourne South Yarra Group also told the council that reducing parking in Alexandra, Linlithgow and Birdwood avenues would cause carparking to spill on to nearby residential streets. Melbourne City council is yet to make a decision on the proposal, or when it might be trialled.

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