Residential Street Improvement Program
Maribyrnong Avenue, Kaleen
Stage 1 community consultation results
1.0 Consultation overview
Road users and residents of Kaleen have written to various Ministers and Roads ACT regarding traffic volumes, speeding and other road safety aspects on Maribyrnong Avenue and other Kaleen roads.
The ACT Government is undertaking a study on the traffic conditions on Sternberg Crescent and surrounding streets in Kaleen.
There will be three stages of community consultation. The first has sought broad feedback, and will be followed by a stage where people will be asked for their views/preferences on proposed options. The last stage will inform the community of the final scheme for improvement, priorities for implementation and likely implementation timelines.
The first stage of the consultation period ran from 26 August to 11 October 2013. During this time, community members and key stakeholders were encouraged to submit feedback on their traffic concerns, and were given opportunities to speak to the project team and representatives from ACT Government.
Newsletters about the study and a survey inviting feedback were sent to all residents in Kaleen and Giralang (total of 3263 households), and to stakeholders (e.g. ACTION, Pedal Power, NRMA, Belconnen Community Council, schools in the area).
A combined total of 888 people participated in this project (this figure may reflect those that engaged multiple times but it is assumed that there were few individuals that would have).
Following the public consultation period it was clear that there was a majority of support for traffic improvements (over three quarters of respondents believed there were traffic issues) but there were also concerns from people about the scope and extent of these changes. People who were not supportive of the measures were quite vehement in their commentary on this topic. However, there was support and general suggestions from most participants on a range of measures that might improve traffic conditions in the area.
2.0 Objectives
The objective of the overall project is to identify traffic issues, and determine the most appropriate traffic calming measures along Maribyrnong Avenue and the surrounding streets. Feedback from the community consultation will be incorporated into the final traffic management master plan.
The objectives of the communications and consultation strategy for the Maribyrnong Avenue improvement program are to:
- Provide an opportunity for residents and commuters using the area to give feedback about their concerns.
- Maintain good relations with people in the district.
- Provide an open, accountable and transparent communications and consultation process which can demonstrate how community and stakeholder inputs have been considered within the development of the master plan.
- Provide a range of accessible opportunities for stakeholders, interested groups and the wider community to be sufficiently informed about the project and contribute informed feedback.
- Provide two-way communication channels enabling timely resolution of issues raised by the community and stakeholders.
- Facilitate a positive reputation outcome for the project that supports future development, builds on existing relationships and results in constructive working relationships with the community and stakeholders.
- Determine the extent to which traffic calming measures may be required on Maribyrnong Avenue and surrounding streets.
3.0 Feedback
Feedback received included 555 completed surveys, 2 phone submissions, 1 email submission, contact with 12 stakeholders and 19 comments on RiotACT (across both this study area and another one occurring at the same time in Wanniassa). 299 people also attended the information session. By combining the feedback mechanisms, a total of 888 people participated in the consultation (although it is likely to be a few less as it is unclear whether those attending the information session or commenting on RiotACT may have also filled in surveys, or sent submissions).
Several themes emerged regarding the consultation feedback. Feedback has been grouped into themes for each feedback mechanism and outlined in the following tables.
3.2 Information Session Feedback
299 people attended the 4 sessions held on 6th, 7th, 12th and 19th of September. Table 1 highlights those that actively asked questions and wanted to be briefed at the sessions. Table 1 highlights numbers of those that actively asked questions and wanted to be briefed at the sessions.
Table 1: Stage 1 Dates and Numbers of Attendance for Sessions: RSI Study Attendance figures at Consultations
Date of information session / Number of people who attended6 September 2013 / 67
7 September 2013 / 118
12 September 2013 (info session) / 4
19 September 2013 / 110
Total / 299
A summary of feedback received from the session is outlined in Table 2.
Table 2: Stage 1 information session feedback
Theme / Community Issues Identified /Intersections / · Ashburton Street/Maribyrnong Avenue (especially during peak hour for school drop offs and pick up). People had lots of suggestions including creating left and right turn lanes on Ashburton
· Daintree Crescent onto Ellenborough Street and Maribyrnong Avenuee (both access points get congested and are hard to get onto Maribyrnong in peak hour)
· Vegetation at Ellenborough Street roundabout creating visibility issues – also apparently for cyclists along Ellenborough Street (southside). People say roundabout is small – but seem to accept this
· Only a few people did not like the new lights at the Baldwin Drive and Maribyrnong Avenue intersection (south) – the majority of people were very happy with these lights and their contribution to traffic flow.
Speeding / · Baldwin Drive between lights and roundabout (division in feedback over whether you should reduce to 40 kph as it’s near a school zone, or up it to 80 – seems to be confusion that it’s actually 60)
· Onkaparinga Crescent (came up a lot) used as a race track at night – both sides down to Maribyrnong. Residents have requested speed humps. It’s notable that there appeared to be concern with placing speed humps on most streets - except Onkaparinga Crescent where they were suggested to the project team by residents frequently.
· Staaten Crescent
· Ashburton Street – cars go too fast (usually parents at pick up times). Not sure how this is the case when it gets congested
· Maribyrnong Avenue in between Kaleen Primary and St Michaels Primary – many people requested it be a 40 kph zone. Came up as being very dangerous as kids don’t seem to use those traffic lights
· Daintree Crescent
Congestion / · Issue of strong concern to people is the first 3-4 bus stops near the Kaleen shops (From Georgina Crescent near Baldwin north) as people get impatient as the buses block the road and then ‘hoon’s overtake.
· Congested parking at the medical centre on Maribyrnong Avenue near Kaleen Primary school during school peak hours – overflows
· Tyrell Street (school pick up times)
· There was a strong pattern of queries and concerns about the impact the new development at Lawson would have on access to the Kaleen shops on Alberga Street and congestion in peak hours.
· Parking congestion near the schools in peak hours and the medical centre near Kaleen primary school.
Crossings/underpasses / · Appears to be an issue with pedestrians crossing at the bus stop on Ellenborough Street (also appears to be a visibility issue with the sun here)
· Requests for more pedestrian crossing points or islands on Maribyrnong Avenue (that don’t interfere with bus stops blocking the road)
Access to Barton Highway and GDE / · There were a few queries and suggestions about Kaleen residents having a lack of access to the Barton Highway and the GDE. This is outside the study area.
3.3 Survey feedback
555 completed surveys were received. Feedback received from the surveys is outlined in Table 3.
Table 3: Stage 1 survey feedback
Question / Community feedback /What street and suburb do you live in? / The top streets where respondents lived were in order Maribyrnong (6%), Onkaparinga (2%), Wakool (2%), Alberga (2%). The top suburbs were Kaleen (87%), Giralang (12%).
How often do you travel on Maribyrnong Avenue? / Daily (88.7%), Weekly (9.5%), Monthly (1.6%), Never (0.2%).
Do you believe that there are traffic and/or pedestrian issues along Maribyrnong Avenue that need to be addressed? / Yes (63.3%), No (27.4%), Unsure (9.3%).
What types of traffic issues do you encounter on Maribyrnong Avenue and/or on other surrounding streets in the area? (Please choose all that apply) / The most common concern was speeding vehicles (63.9%), followed by dangerous intersections (46.3%), dangerous pedestrian crossing points (34.9%), and then too much traffic in peak hours (33.0%). Other results can be seen in the chart above.
Have you encountered any other local traffic issues not specified above? / 220 people responded to this question. The main concerns were school safety, lack of visibility, unsafe bus stops, poor conditions of underpasses and intersections. In addition, many individuals noted that they did not support traffic calming measures.
“Bus stops in dangerous locations (near the Kaleen Plaza) and on top of the hill, near the eastern end of Onkaparinga”
“Impatient drivers overtaking stopped buses on the wrong side of the road when there is oncoming traffic.”
“On the corner of Onkaparinga and Maribyrnong (closest to Kaleen Plaza), motorists drive into and out of that intersection too fast. The latter is surprising considering the blind spot further down Maribyrnong due to the bus stop. This intersection is also particularly bad for drivers doing burn outs, even more so in wet weather. It’s a big intersection, traffic lights may not be the answer but a round-about may be a good thing not just for this problem but also speeding trucks heading towards the Kaleen Plaza. Semi trailers go surprisingly fast on this road”
“In particular intersection at Ashburton Crescent and Maribyrnong dangerous for vehicles turning right as heavy traffic in both directions. Also causes traffic building on Ashburton at school drop off and pickup times. Could we please have a roundabout?”
“There are significant safety issues for pedestrians crossing Maribyrnong Avenue between Moruya Circuit and the Eastern entrance to Onkaparinga Crescent. This is particularly severe at the bus stop near Yarra Street where there is limited visibility to see cars approaching due to the curve and hill. I have been crossing there in the afternoons for well over 20 years and have seen and experienced several incidents where pedestrians have almost been hit by speeding cars. This is exacerbated by several children who attend St Michaels and Kaleen primary schools crossing the road there as well. Another area of concern is at the corners of Tyrell and Ashburton Circuits close to both the primary schools. The current crossing lights are inadequate to address traffic problems there particularly at school drop off and pick up times.”
“My son points out the underpass beside the stormwater drains is safe, and close for the kids to use.”
Of the issues you have indicated above, which ones do you believe require immediate attention? / Problem:
Speeding Vehicles (41.2%), Dangerous Intersections (19.4%), Dangerous Pedestrian Crossing Points (17.6%).
Street:
Maribyrnong Avenue (55.9%), Ashburton Crescent (12.5%), Onkaparinga Crescent (11.6%).
Please provide any further comments on your issues of concern (or reasons why you are not concerned). / 324 people responded to this question. The main concerns were school safety, lack of visibility, unsafe bus stops, speeding and intersections. In addition, many individuals noted that they did not support traffic calming measures. Note the comments below are a small sample.
“Measures should not include chicanes as I find in my experience they're not effective and they tend to speed traffic up. Drivers tend to "race" through chicanes. Speed cushions worked really well in the Red Hill area in my opinion.”
“Please no speed bumps, it may be through they calm traffic, but they do not calm the drivers.”
“During school hours cars speed close to both Kaleen and Maribyrnong Primary School … I have frequently been overtaken along Maribyrnong by hasty drivers. I sit on 60kph, not a slow driver).”
“The main issue in this area is Baldwin Drive. It is very rare that drivers keep to the 60km limit.”
“While there is a traffic light at the crossing on Maribyrnong there is so much action, traffic & children in that area at school drop off & pick up that I feel it's an accident waiting to happen. Cars turning left out of the doctors carpark are not watching the traffic lights. Kids trying to get to school go into the carpark to avoid the footpath that is frequently under water.”
“Having lived on Onkaparinga for over 16 years the rate of accidents coming off our street is very high. I feel that without corrective action an accident causing serious injury or death is only a matter of time”.
“I would estimate the speeds reached to be up to 70-80 kilometers per hour. This causes sightline issues at those speeds, both for pedestrians crossing the road near to both bus stops, and also from residents pulling into, or out of their driveways. I have seen an incident where a car turning into it's own driveway was nearly rear-ended by a speeding motorist who was not paying attention and also pedestrians having difficulty crossing the road here. A traffic calming measure at both sides of this bend would be a very good idea though I doubt the volume of use would justify a serviced pedestrian crossing in this location. I do NOT think that the entire length of Maribyrnong Avenue needs to be treated with traffic calming measures.”
“Maribyrnong and Onkaparinga intersections need roundabouts due to poor visibility especially at eastern Onkaparinga intersection Bus stop on Maribyrnong across from Onkaparinga is in extremely bad location on the crest of the hill on a tight bend in the road.“
“The intersection between Maribyrnong and southern end of Onkaparinga can be difficult to walk my children across because cars travelling at 60 kilometers per hour on the side street are not visible until they are close to Maribyrnong and they tend to "appear" when you’re half way across. A crossing or speed bump on Onkaparinga would help”
“Traffic exiting Kaleen shops regularly fails to give way to the right when turning left. Traffic heading south on Maribyrnong Avenue is hard to see from Ellenborough Street. Buses stopped at bus stop No. 4036 block traffic flow. Traffic heading south on Baldwin drive is hard to see from Maribyrnong Avenue at the roundabout.”
Are you satisfied with this opportunity to provide feedback on the traffic conditions on Maribyrnong Avenue? / Satisfied (46.9%), Very Satisfied (38.7%), Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied (12.5%), Very Dissatisfied (1.5%), Dissatisfied (0.9%).
What is your gender? / Female (55.1%), Male (44.9%).
What is your age group? / 55 and over (49.6%), 35-54 (40.7%), 18-34 (9.3%), Under 18 (0.4%)
Do you speak a language other than English at home? / No (88%), Yes (12%).
Do you identify as a person with a disability? / No (91.3%), Yes (8.7%).
Do you identify as an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander? / No (98.8%), Yes (1.2%).
RiotACT Comments
There were 19 responses on RiotACT to the media release. Most comments were not directly relevant to the study but those that are of relevance are noted in Table 4