Wembley Local Area Plan - City of Stirling

movement & transport
movement & transport
Such issues are common in a Local Area that has a variety of
land uses that are popular with residents. The management of
local traffic and parking is a complicated issue. Balancing the
functionality of high use amenities must be weighted against
ensuring the surrounding residents are not unduly impacted.
With respect to the parking at Wembley Downs Shopping Centre,
the perceived lack of parking has recently been compounded
by the new development adjoining the centre, which has come
to an agreement with the centre to also utilise its car park.
Whilst the operators of both centres do not technically comply
with the minimum parking requirements under the provisions
of Local Planning Scheme No. 3, the purpose of the centre is
predominantly to service the daily needs of the Local Area and
for the residents of the Local Area to access the centre by foot.
Whilst this is not always possible, the nature of the uses within
the centre allows a high turnover of vehicles.
Similar issues occur at the Flynn Street shopping area in relation
to parking and access. The City is currently working with all the
landowners of this centre on a revised concept, expansions and
redevelopments with significant parking increases to counteract
the current shortfall. The Local Centres Improvement Program
has identified this centre as having priority for assistance and the
cooperation of the landowners. More information in relation to
this project can be found in the Economic Environment section of
this plan and at the City’s website, www.stirling,wa,gov.au.
Despite the community suggesting the number of schools located
in the Local Area is an asset, in operation there can be conflict
between the schools and the surrounding residential land uses.
Pick up and drop off times present the greatest frustrations,
with a high volume of traffic in a very short period of time. The
movement of children in and around the traffic also presents
great challenges.
Ultimately the individual school is responsible for safety and traffic
management within their grounds. Safety outside the school
grounds is the joint responsibility of the school, State and Local
government. The State Government has implemented 40km/h
school zones surrounding every school in Western Australia,
ensuring that all drivers exercise caution during school set down
and pick up times. These measures are heavily enforced by WA
Police. The Local Government, is responsible for road design
and maintenance.
There are several other strategies that can be employed to reduce
the pressure on the local road network during peak periods. One
is the spacing out of drop off times. Individual schools would
have to take ownership of such an incentive and an education
program would be needed for parents. For example, students in
higher grades would be required to be dropped off earlier whilst
parents of younger children should be encouraged to drop them
off closer to the start time of the school day. The school could set
recommended times for when each year group (or several at a
time) should be dropped at the school.
‘Walking buses’ is another strategy that may alleviate traffic
volumes on the local road network. Utilised heavily by the
Travelsmart program run by the City, it encourages local students
to walk to school rather than be dropped off and presents many
benefits to all parties. To counter the obvious safety concerns of
children walking the streets alone, the walking bus encourages
groups of children to walk together, all lead by a parent (or several
parents). The City encourages walking buses to inform the City
that they operate so as to monitor their success.
The City is continually monitoring local traffic within all Local
Areas, particularly those ‘hotspots’ that are regularly cited as
being problematic. The City will continue to monitor all school
areas within this Local Area on the basis of the concern expressed
by the community.
Improve connectivity for the pedestrian and cycling
network
One of the priorities identified from the community workshop
sessions was for improved connectivity between the different
transport networks and end of use facilities.
Survey results indicate that there were generally high levels
of satisfaction with transport provision for walking, while there
was dissatisfaction with cycling accessibility, reflecting the lack
of cycling amenities in the area. When survey participants were
asked what they would like to see improved, cycling facilities was
one of the top priorities.
In the community consultation sessions, pedestrian access
to train stations and connections for cycling to public transport
services were highlighted as needing improvement. Increasing
the provision of dual use paths and bicycle parking facilities were
also identified as areas for improvement.
The City can assist in improving the connectivity of the transport
network through the provision of continuous pedestrian paths
and cycleways in the Local Area. The City is in the process
of finalising a Footpath Policy and Bikeplan to oversee the
management of footpath and cycling infrastructure and address
gaps in the City’s pedestrian and cycling network.
Wembley Downs Shopping Centre
Outcomes to Achieve
1. To continue to implement the principles of the City’s
Integrated Transport Strategy.
2. The City’s Travelsmart officer to continue to provide
advice and programs promoting and encouraging
sustainable transport use within the Local Area.
3. Continue to liaise with the Public Transport Authority,
providing input and advocating for community needs.
4. To encourage patronage of public transport in and
around local centres by promoting redevelopment
and investigating the increase of density immediately
surrounding the centres where appropriate.
5. Continue to develop a pedestrian and cycle path network
to ensure key linkages between existing sections of the
current network and to major destinations.
6. To work together with the State Government on any
investigations or research required for the future use or
development of the Stephenson Reservation.
7. To continue negotiations with the Public Transport
Authority through WALGA to resolve the issue regarding
the ongoing provision and maintenance of bus shelters.
8. To work in partnership with local schools in developing
strategies for reducing the impact of traffic at school set
down and pick up points during peak hour.
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