Steven Swann

Overcoming the “Rock Star” Syndrome - Favouring

Pedestrians Over Vehicles in Regional Centres

Steven SwannAlbury City Council

ABOUT ALBURY

• 50,000 in city; 170,000 in region

• Diverse, growing economy with good transport connections

• Range of recreational, cultural & sporting facilities

• Enviable lifestyle evocities.com.au

THE ALBURY TRANSPORT NETWORK

• Reflective of geographical constraints & historical development

• Grid network• Primary movement

aligned north-south

ALBURY – GETTING AROUND

• Journey to work:- 94% motor vehicle- 4% walk- 1% bicycle- 1% public transport

• Ease of getting around promoted as part of Evocities program

THE “ROCK STAR” SYNDROME

• “Rock Star” term explicitlyused in 2013 HoldenCommodore marketing

• Community satisfaction survey 2011 – availability of car parking number 1 issue for Albury residents out of 47 (traffic flow number 6)

• Albury has taken steps to manage the Rock Stars

ALBURY CBD PARKING STRATEGY

• Seeks to balance supply and demand, not to cater for ever-increasing demand

• Target (85%) applies to system overall, and sub-components

• Has been an effective tool in communicating level of service

DEAN STREET THRESHOLDS

DEAN STREET THRESHOLDS

DEAN STREET THRESHOLDS

• 2009 – CBD Master Plan adopted• 2011 – Five thresholds converted to zebra

crossings• 2012 – Surveys showed pedestrian numbers in

CBD increased by 16%• 2014 – Retail vacancy rate on Dean Street of 4.3%

VOLT LANE/GASWORKS WORKS

• 2009 – ATO to build new premises

• Car park was the CBD’s busiest

• Site to be closed for up to 12 months to construct new public car park

VOLT LANE/GASWORKS WORKS

• Used data from CBD Parking Strategy

• Extensive community engagement

• Staging of works• Similar approach

taken to closure of Gasworks

EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS

• Pedestrian activity in Dean Street up by 16%• Community satisfaction with level of available car

parking and traffic flow improved between 2011 and 2013

• Improved understanding of benefits of pedestrian facilities within Council, and support for their use

• Vibrancy of Dean Street and low vacancy rate• Copying of measures by others

KEY LEARNINGS

Options and alternatives• Understand system, identify & use spare capacity• Identify available tools• Learn from others• Consider a range of users• Provide reasonable alternatives• People will accept changes – even in regions!

KEY LEARNINGS

Finding the balance• Balance supply and demand• Identify “acceptable” parking with stakeholders• Provide reasonable access for vehicles• Favour pedestrians to create pedestrianised zones• Pedestrians are just one element for a successful

high street

KEY LEARNINGS

Effective communication• Communicate messages clearly & consistently• Get on the front foot• Tailor communications efforts• Build support• Explain technical elements in plain language• Inform people of their options