Yarra Council has approved plans for accessible tram stops to be installed along Nicholson Street, between Kerr and Holden streets. 

The new stops will make public transport easier for people who are vision impaired, or who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids, as well as for parents with prams. 

The upgrades were proposed by Public Transport Victoria, and will apply to stops 16 to 22 on tram route 96.

In approving the application from PTV, Yarra Council required a number of adjustments to the plans. These are outlined below and will ensure that local assets are carefully managed during construction. 

We believe that everyone should have access to healthy and sustainable modes of transport. These upgrades will help route 96 become Melbourne’s first fully accessible tram line. 

Council resolution of Tuesday 30 April 2018
1. That: Council, as the Responsible Authority, consents to the detailed designs provided by PTV for tram stops 16 to 22 along Route 96, subject to the following Conditions:

Amended Plans

1 Before the tram stop civil works commence, amended plans to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority must be submitted to Council to endorse as the approved plans pursuant to clause 4.2.1 of the Tramway Infrastructure Upgrades Incorporated Document, May 2017 of the Yarra Planning Scheme. The plans must be drawn to scale with dimensions, and three copies must be provided.  The plans must be generally in accordance with the most recent plans received by Council but modified to show: 

a. Notations clarifying that cut throughs of sufficient size to accommodate mobility devices are to be provided within the raised lane-splitter (between tram tracks and traffic lanes) to facilitate east-west cyclist movements at intersections of Nicholson Street and:

(i) Newry Street;

(ii) Curtain Street/Freeman Street; and

(iii) Fenwick Street/Church Street, given need for access across Nicholson and barriers of elongated tram stops.

b. Deletion of the ‘cyclist maze’ (to provide a wider clear opening) at the Lee Street/York Street and Nicholson Street intersection, and additional cut-throughs in the lane-separators (between tram tracks and traffic lanes) located to facilitate simultaneous two-way, east-west cyclist movements through the intersection;

c. The ‘Capital City Trail’ pedestrian and cyclist crossing must be widened to 6.0m (or as near to 6.0m wide as reasonably practicable). The crossing must be delineated to show a 3m wide cyclist path on the south, and a 3.0m pedestrian path on the north (or as near to 3.0m as reasonably practicable). The cyclist path must include green surface treatment.

d. Any works which are to be undertaken to existing building awnings, or other assets within the footpath.

e. Any areas where bluestone is being removed from the roadway, kerb or channel.

f. Any works to kerbs or footpaths, including cross sections showing kerb profiles and proposed levels of the road kerb and footpath.

g. Any additional works which are required to provide adequate access for the following businesses:

(i) Maria’s Pasta, 655-667 Nicholson Street,

(ii) L U Simon Builders, 818 Nicholson Street,

(iii) AMG Body Works, 820 Nicholson Street, and

(iv) Fitzroy Fuel Supply, 820 Nicholson Street.

2 The civil works as shown on the plans approved by the Responsible Authority must not be altered (unless the Yarra Planning Scheme specifies that a planning permit is not required) without the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority.

Street Trees

3 All tree removals and footpath reinstatements are to be at the expense of Public Transport Victoria. Without the prior written consent of Council, no more than sixteen (16) street trees may be removed and only trees identified previously may be removed. Trees which have been identified for potential removal are identified as: 28, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 77, 78 and 79; within the Arborists Report produced by Ryder, titled ‘Construction Impact Assessment’ dated 15 March 2017. 

4 Before the removal of any tree approved at Condition 4, a qualified zoologist must inspect the trees to determine if there are any fauna present, and if so, a Wildlife Management Report must be submitted to and approved by the Responsible Authority, detailing the type of fauna found and measures to be taken to manage these.  This report must also outline any particular specifications on how and when the trees should be removed to best protect any wildlife present in the trees to be removed and the tree removal will then occur in accordance with the recommendations of the zoologist.

5 Where any heavy machinery is operating within the area of a tree canopy, a spotter must be utilised to ensure machinery is being operated in a manner where no damage will occur to existing street trees.

6 Replacement tree planting (species to Council satisfaction) of 61 trees between Kerr Street and Holden Street, and ongoing maintenance of these trees for a period of 2 years is to be at the expense of Public Transport Victoria. 
Other Council Assets

7 Any connections made to Council’s drainage infrastructure must be approved by the Responsible Authority and undertaken to Council Standards.

8 If any property drains within the footpath are affected as part of any footpath works, the drains must be replaced to Council standards.

9 Where existing bluestone is being removed from within Council’s municipal boundaries, it must be stored and transported with as much care as is reasonably practical, in order for bluestone to be returned to Council. 

10 Prior to the completion of the civil works, subject to the relevant authority’s consent, the relocation of any Council or privately owned assets within the road carriageway or footpath necessary to facilitate the civil works must be undertaken:

a. in accordance with any requirements or conditions imposed by the relevant authority;

b. at Public Transport Victoria's cost; and

c. to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

11 Within 2 months of the completion of the tram stops, or by such later date as approved in writing by the Responsible Authority, any new pram crossing(s) must be constructed:

a. in accordance with any requirements or conditions imposed by Council;

b. at the Public Transport Victoria's cost; and

c. to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

12 Within 2 months of the completion of the tram stops, or by such later date as approved in writing by the Responsible Authority, any damage to Council infrastructure resulting from the works must be reinstated:

a. at Public Transport Victoria’s cost; and

b. to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

13 Within 2 months of the completion of the tram stops, or by such later date as approved in writing by the Responsible Authority, any redundant pram crossing must be demolished and re-instated as standard footpath and kerb and channel:

a. at the Public Transport Victoria's cost; and

b. to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Communications

14 At least three months prior to commencement of main occupation, a communications plan must be submitted to Council for consideration and approval. The plan must include:

a. Outlines of what information will be provided to residents and traders;

b. Details about when information will be provided to residents and traders;

c. Details about how information will be disseminated and the extent of dissemination.

Construction and Amenity

15 Except with the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority, demolition or construction works must not be carried out:

a. Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) before 7 am or after 6 pm;

b. Saturdays and public holidays (other than ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and Good Friday) before 9 am or after 3 pm; or

c. Sundays, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and Good Friday at any time.

16 Before the civil works commence, a Construction Management Plan to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority must be submitted to and approved by the Responsible Authority.  When approved, the plan will be form part of Council’s approval.  The plan must provide for:

a. a pre-conditions survey (dilapidation report) of the works areas and all adjacent Council roads frontages and nearby road infrastructure;

b. works necessary to protect road and other infrastructure including trees to be retained;

c. remediation of any damage to road and other infrastructure;

d. containment of dust, dirt and mud within the works areas and method and frequency of clean up procedures to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt and mud outside the works areas,

e. facilities for vehicle washing as appropriate, to the satisfaction of the responsible authority;

f. the location of loading zones, site sheds, materials, cranes and crane/hoisting zones, gantries and any other construction related items or equipment to be located in any street;

g. site security;

h. management of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to,:

(i) contaminated soil;

(ii) materials and waste;

(iii) dust;

(iv) stormwater contamination from run-off and wash-waters;

(v) sediment from excavations within the road reserve;

(vi) washing of concrete trucks and other vehicles and machinery as appropriate; and

(vii) spillage from refuelling cranes and other vehicles and machinery;

i. the construction program;

j. preferred arrangements for trucks delivering to the works areas, including delivery and unloading points and expected duration and frequency;

k. parking facilities for construction workers;

l. measures to ensure that all work at the sites will be carried out in accordance with the Construction Management Plan;

m. an outline of requests to occupy public footpaths or roads, or anticipated disruptions to local services;

n. an emergency contact that is available for 24 hours per day for residents and the Responsible Authority in the event of relevant queries or problems experienced; and

o. the provision of a traffic management plan to comply with provisions of AS 1742.3-2002 Manual of uniform traffic control devices - Part 3: Traffic control devices for works on roads.

2. Council provides consent for PTV to proceed with carrying out works associated with stops 11 through 15, along the route between Kerr Street and Holden Street as outlined in Option 1 above, with the following understanding;

(a) Council expects these works to be carried out over a two week window in January 2020 (with some preliminary works beforehand);

(b) Prior to commencement of construction a Traffic Management Plan would be submitted to Council for approval by PTV;

(c) Council note the removal of 15 existing street trees, and pruning of additional street trees;

(d) Council note the costs of supplying and planting some 61 replacement trees and maintenance of these trees for a two year period would be covered by PTV;

(e) Following the completion of the works, Council’s arborist would commence replacement tree planting in autumn of 2020.

(f) Council notes that tram stops 18 and 19 would be consolidated resulting in the net removal of one stop (as noted at the Council meeting 12 November 2013); and

(g) Council note a net removal of 45 car parking spaces on Nicholson Street, within Yarra boundaries.

3. That Council accepts a grant of $400,000 from PTV for some streetscape and pedestrian improvement works along the length of Nicholson Street.

4. That Council resolves that the CEO seek a meeting with VicRoads Senior Management (to include the Mayor and Ward Councillors) with a view to continuing to pursue the introduction of 40km/h speed limits along the length of Nicholson Street (but in particular within the Nicholson Village Activity Centre) – noting that this matter is a long-standing position of Council that has been advocated for as part of numerous earlier Council resolutions including:

(a) 24 June 2014 – Tram Route 96 Upgrade: Nicholson Village Tram Stops

(b) 2 September 2014 – Tram Route 96 Upgrade: Nicholson Village Tram Stops

(c) 16 September 2014 – Tram Route 96 Project: Upgrade of Stop 20, Nicholson Village, North Fitzroy

(d) 19 June 2018 – Route 96 Tram Stop Upgrades – Stop 23

(e) 5 March 2019 – Local Area Place Making Study – Scotchmer-North Fitzroy Precinct 3

(f) As background to this advocacy, Council notes that:

(i) traffic modelling provided by VicRoads in the past shows average speeds in the AM and PM peaks being well under 40km/h;

(ii) the Nicholson Village area has a high volume of vulnerable road user activity (both pedestrians and cyclists);

(iii) there are similar levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity around the Carlton Gardens precinct, and this in part justified the reduction of the speed limit from 60km/h to 40km/h along this section of the road in early 2018; 

(iv) VicRoads has introduced 40km/h speed limits throughout most other inner-Metropolitan activity centres; and

(v) to date, VicRoads has provided only limited and unsatisfactory rationale for retaining the existing 60km/h speed limits along Nicholson Street.

5. That Council further resolves that the CEO advocates:

(a) to VicRoads Senior Management to discuss the possible re-instatement of lost car parking on the eastern (southbound) side of Nicholson Street in off-peak periods wherever feasible;

(b) for PTV and VicRoads to implement additional tram-priority measures at all intersections along the length of Nicholson Street to optimise tram travel times;

(c) to PTV and VicRoads for porous surfaces (in lieu of concrete, asphalt or similar) in areas between tram tracks and tram stop platforms (at each end where the tracks splay outwards around the proposed central island stops) to enable appropriate low planting, especially through Nicholson Village; and

(d) for VicRoads, as the road authority, to fund new hard and soft landscaping upgrades, (including kerb build outs and tree planting) in areas where the available re-allocated road space allows this (i.e. adjacent to the north-bound traffic lane).

6. That Council resolve that further placemaking funding for the Nicholson Village Activity Centre be considered as part of the 2020-2021 budget allocation process.