The issue of traffic management in our area of Port Phillip has always been a complex matter. With the goal of avoiding rat-running and reducing adverse impacts for other residents, the City Council just approved a six-month trial to address traffic concerns for residents in Cowderoy St, West St Kilda. The trial is for a “No Right Turn” between 4:30 – 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday, from Canterbury Road to Cowderoy Street, St. Kilda West. 

Council officers worked with various community groups, including the West St Kilda Residents Association and the Cowderoy Street Traffic Group, to come up with the proposal. While it is not expected to be a magic bullet solution, the proposal is hoped to minimise the impact of traffic on residents in the area.

During the consultation process, it became clear our community is divided, with results coming to a close 50/50 on whether the trial should proceed. However, there are concerns that the proposed solution may simply cause issues for residents elsewhere. 

The proposed ban will prohibit right turns onto Cowderoy Street from surrounding intersections, with exceptions made for emergency vehicles, public transport, and bicycles. The ban will be enforced by signage and penalties for non-compliance, although some council members noted that enforcement may be difficult given the large volume of traffic in the area.

During the council meeting on Wednesday, concerns were raised by a number of councillors that this proposal will simply shift the traffic to the next street up, which will upset other residents: traffic will turn first at the next intersection and then find their way into Cowderoy Street anyway. 

Cr Bond stated during the meeting “There just isn't a solution here that is acceptable that doesn't just shift the problem to someone else's street and that's why nothing has ever happened here.” Cr Bond went on the say “I can't support doing that, because I'm just shifting the problem to the next street over”. 

Cr Clark said during Wednesday’s meeting “I don't think as council we should be coming up with solutions that just create problems for other residents”. 

Acknowledging the near 50/50 split in the community consultation, Cr Sirakoff stated “… unfortunately with no substantial support from the community for the trial to go ahead, this is obviously a dilemma when some residents want a solution and other residents not wanting the problem to be pushed down to next street with further consequences.”

Nevertheless, the motion was passed Wednesday with a majority to proceed with the No-Right Hand turn trial. Despite considerable disagreement in the community about the best solution, the 6 month trial will move-ahead from August 1 to January 31. Following the trial, the Council will re-evaluate the results and determine where to go next.