Victoria and Lennox Street upgrade
Tuesday 25 July 2017
Yarra Council is currently inviting community feedback on its plans to improve the intersection of Victoria Street and Lennox Street, North Richmond. The plans include installing lighting, street furniture, paving and landscaping. Funding for the $440,000 project will come from both Council ($240,000) and the State Government ($200,000).
One of the 12 elements of the proposed design is a memorial plaque dedicated to people who have died from drug overdoses. This element does not make use of State Government funding. The intent of the proposed plaque is to raise awareness of the human tragedy and urgent public health issue on Victoria Street Richmond.
The proposed urban improvements to the Victoria and Lennox Street intersection are part of Council’s Victoria Street Masterplan.
This is just one of the ways Council is addressing the complex and longstanding health, safety and amenity issues in this precinct.
Council is also continuing its long-standing advocacy calling on the State Government to establish a medically supervised injecting facility in North Richmond.
We believe that such a facility, which has proven successful in Sydney and other parts of the world, would help save lives by connecting vulnerable people with vital health services. It would also help take drug use off the streets and make our public places safer and more welcoming.
In 2015 there were 172 fatal heroin overdoses in Victoria. Of these, 20 occurred in the City of Yarra. Another 15 overdose deaths occurred outside of the City of Yarra, however evidence suggests that the heroin contributing to the deaths was purchased in the City of Yarra (Coroners Court of Victoria 2016, Court Reference: COR 2016 2418).
Council understands there is deep community concern, but also a sense of acute frustration that little is being done to address this health crisis. Our community want to see less talking and more doing by elected leaders.
One of the 12 elements of the proposed design is a memorial plaque dedicated to people who have died from drug overdoses. This element does not make use of State Government funding. The intent of the proposed plaque is to raise awareness of the human tragedy and urgent public health issue on Victoria Street Richmond.
The proposed urban improvements to the Victoria and Lennox Street intersection are part of Council’s Victoria Street Masterplan.
This is just one of the ways Council is addressing the complex and longstanding health, safety and amenity issues in this precinct.
Council is also continuing its long-standing advocacy calling on the State Government to establish a medically supervised injecting facility in North Richmond.
We believe that such a facility, which has proven successful in Sydney and other parts of the world, would help save lives by connecting vulnerable people with vital health services. It would also help take drug use off the streets and make our public places safer and more welcoming.
In 2015 there were 172 fatal heroin overdoses in Victoria. Of these, 20 occurred in the City of Yarra. Another 15 overdose deaths occurred outside of the City of Yarra, however evidence suggests that the heroin contributing to the deaths was purchased in the City of Yarra (Coroners Court of Victoria 2016, Court Reference: COR 2016 2418).
Council understands there is deep community concern, but also a sense of acute frustration that little is being done to address this health crisis. Our community want to see less talking and more doing by elected leaders.