Queens Lane divides two rows of high rise apartment buildings wedged between Fawkner Park and Albert Park Lake in the City of Port Phillip. The residents enjoy spectacular views and a vibrant inner city lifestyle, but in recent times they have become increasingly concerned and frustrated with the consequences of poorly managed developments and the resultant loss of amenity, congested road traffic, and lowered safety and security. 

As motorists seek to avoid congestion at the Toorak Rd junction, they spill into Queens Lane creating gridlock for residents. Motorists often speed, drive onto the narrow footpath to navigate past congested traffic, and park illegally, creating chaos. This is a major safety issue and is poorly policed. The recent closure of St Kilda Rd due to Metro Tunnel works has only added to the congestion, and the bike lanes will congest the Lane further.

Many residents feel that Council have failed to adequately plan, did not create a management plan for traffic during the Metro Tunnel works, and have ignored the problems faced by residents. The community reasonably expects Council to act for all its constituents and protect residents’ safety and amenity.

As a result, the Queens Lane Resident Action Group (QLRAG) was formed to represent residents’ views to Council on the likely 7 developments in various planning stages along Queens Lane. Whilst the residents accept the fact of continued development and have chosen an inner city lifestyle, there is a lot more that could be done to make the lives of the thousands of residents living in this strip a lot more bearable.

QLRAG approached the Councillors elected in the Gateway ward, Mayor Heather Cunsolo, Cr Peter Martin and Cr Marcus Pearl in order to partner with Council and formulate a plan to mitigate the impacts of current and future developments. In early February 2023, I met with Mayor Cunsolo and Cr Martin to discuss our concerns which centred around:

1. A Traffic Management Plan for the Arthur Street Precinct

2. A Construction Management Plan for 448 St Kilda Road development

Traffic Management Plan

QLRAG does not purport to be expert traffic engineers and are looking to Council to propose solutions, and to consult with us to reach an agreeable outcome for all. However, QLRAG has arrived at some possible solutions which would start to address our concerns. 

In order to dissuade rat runners from St. Kilda Rd, trial converting Queens Lane to one way traffic running from Toorak Rd to Arthur St. Whilst this would be inconvenient for some residents, it is preferable to the chaos which ensues during congested peak hour traffic. This change would also mitigate much of the impact of construction vehicles fighting for limited space. Whilst “Restricted to Local Traffic” signs may work, we are concerned about how this would be enforced. 

Traffic calming installations are impracticle, because the Lane is so narrow now that any installations would make the Lane impassable, but a review of Clearway times is needed, considering the constant movement of removalist vans, rubbish collection, tradesman's vehicles etc. A review of the number of parking/loading zones in the Arthur St Precinct is also needed to cater for one way traffic and building exit points (there are 29 driveways between Arthur St and Toorak Rd junction) to provide adequate visual warning of exiting vehicles to oncoming traffic.

Construction Management Plan

QLRAG is seeking the agreement of Developers and Council to ensure demolition and construction works occur through St Kilda Road access points. Queens Lane is incapable of handling the traffic for residents and developers. QLRAG is seeking the implementation of all elements of the Traffic Management Plan into the Developers Construction Management Plan for current and future developments. We are seeking timely consultation with us as key stakeholders going forward.

The community rightly expects that Council will respond to issues and concerns as they arise in a timely fashion. As stated during our meeting with Councillors, we are not the first to raise these issues.

Councillors Cunsolo and Martin acknowledged the traffic issues and have received numerous emails and phone calls from QLRAG. However, communication has been poor. To many in QLRAG, it appears that residents in Gateway Ward are being ignored, disrespected and abandoned by Council.

We deserve better.

 Find Queens Lane Residents Action Group on Facebook