As Yarra grows, we want to ensure our streets are accessible, safe and supportive of the community's needs.

Little Turner Street is a narrow laneway with limited space for vehicles. There is also limited space between residential access points and the roadway.

Concerns have been raised around traffic levels, vehicle speeds, and the space available for safe movement and access.

To address these concerns and improve the area, Council has allocated funding to investigate and explore practical ways to manage traffic and make the street safer and more accessible for everyone, whether you're walking, driving, or cycling.

As the area grows, we're considering a range of long-term options to ensure Little Turner Street continues to function safely and effectively.

Physical changes such as a one-way street can simplify vehicle movements and reduce opposing traffic conflicts on a narrow roadway, improving safety and predictability for all road users.

One-way traffic changes will require further assessments once nearby developments are fully operational and future traffic patterns are better understood.

Yes. Fire, Ambulance and Police emergency services will be consulted during this consultation.

While this study focuses on Little Turner Street, Abbotsford we understand that changes here could have an impact on nearby streets.

If you think a proposed change might have a positive or negative impact elsewhere, please include this in your feedback which will help inform the study and any action Council takes in the future.

Each option has been developed within the constraints of the existing street environment to respond to safety concerns identified through investigation data and community feedback, such as perceptions from different road users, driver behaviour, and visibility.

The proposed treatments aim to improve safety for all road users by increasing visibility at intersections, as well as creating a shared road environment on Little Turner Street to enhance awareness and encourage lower vehicle speeds.

Independent traffic consultants reviewed the site, analysed traffic data, and identified key safety and access issues. This was combined with local knowledge and community feedback from the first stage of consultation.

Using this information, a range of concept options were developed and assessed against key criteria, such as safety, property access, commercial loading requirements, pedestrian and cyclist needs, and traffic impacts. These options were then reviewed internally and by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to determine the list of concept options for this consultation.

A shared zone is an area that is suitable for all road users. It is kept safe through low vehicle speeds and awareness. Drivers and cyclists must travel slowly and always give way to pedestrians, who can move freely throughout the zone.

Please note the Road Safety Road Rules (rule 83), “A driver driving in a shared zone must give way to a pedestrian in that zone. For this rule, give way means a driver must slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision”.

The new speed limit for vehicles (including cyclists) within this shared zone is 20km/h because of the need to give way at any time.

Shared zones enhance safety by encouraging all users to be more alert and actively engaged with their surroundings. While pedestrians have priority, safety relies on mutual awareness between pedestrians, drivers and cyclists. Users are prompted to slow down, make eye contact where possible, and move in a predictable manner to communicate their intentions. This increased level of interaction and shared responsibility helps reduce conflicts and creates a safer, more cooperative environment for everyone.

Some parking spaces are being removed to improve sight lines for road users entering and exiting Little Turner Street. This is to ensure adequate safety is provided as the area grows.

Due to the narrow width of Little Turner Street and space required for garage access, it is not possible to provide a kerbed footpath on the street.

A “painted” separated footpath was considered, however, in an environment like Little Turner Street, this can introduce additional safety risks.

While we understand that a “painted” footpath may feel safer, line marking alone does not offer physical protection and may create a false sense of security, especially as vehicles will need the full road width to turn in and out of properties.

It can also reinforce a “road‑like” perception for drivers, which may unintentionally encourage higher vehicle speeds. Pedestrians will also be pushed closer to the property line, where visibility for vehicles exiting driveways is often limited.

Implementing a separated footpath would also require the removal of all existing loading zones, which is currently not possible.

For these reasons, a shared‑zone style environment is being considered, as it is better suited to the constraints of the street and supports lower vehicle speeds and greater awareness among all road users.

Speed humps and other vertical traffic calming devices have not been included on Little Turner Street due to several safety and design constraints.

Effective installation would require full-width treatment, which may conflict with drainage infrastructure, and must avoid driveways, limiting suitable locations.

Speed humps can make the street feel vehicle focused, undermining it’s intended shared pedestrian and vehicle use.

They also pose risks to vehicles without adequate street lighting and create tripping hazards, particularly for wheelchair users and prams.

Council officers will review community feedback received, alongside expert advice to identify a recommended option.

The recommended option will be presented to Council along with consultation results and investigation findings for decision making.

Due to the impacts on the wider road network, any changes to traffic conditions would require approval by the Department of Transport and Planning following any Council decision.