ARTICLE
Streets as Shared Places Lane Cove is one of 43 councils to have won funding from the State government to transform public space so that it allows for greater community connection. Other council trials have proved it to already be hugely successful. WORDS: NICOLA RICHES
L
ane Cove has successfully obtained a $500k grant to transform public dining spaces as part of the NSW Government’s $20 million Streets as Shared Spaces program. The funding will be used to create an adaptable space to accommodate outdoor dining and a recreation space via a mountable footpath, and the installation of movable bollards along Longueville Road. In a recent poll, 70 per cent of people stated they were choosing to spend time with people in public spaces rather than in their homes. The Streets as Shared Spaces program provides funding for councils to test and pilot new and innovative ideas that temporarily adapt streets as safe, shared public spaces to support healthier, secure and resilient communities. The award-winning $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program launched in May 2020 as a pilot to enable improvements across NSW during COVID-19 and into the future. Piloting temporary interventions and pop-ups has allowed councils, the community and stakeholders to trial innovative ideas that test and build the case for more permanent changes. The NSW Government has funded 43 councils to deliver 51 temporary demonstration and pilot projects to support the community and test ideas for more permanent improvements to local streets, paths and public spaces. One of the successful early pilots was rolled out by Waverley Council, where temporary road closures, allowing for kids to play in the street, and for adults to gather too, were expanded due to popularity. When COVID restrictions were lifted, Waverley Council adopted a new Street Play Policy that simplifies the processes involved in closing a local road so that residents and their children can get together and hold an event at minimum cost. The street closures are classed as ‘events’ and the insurance fee is covered by the Council until the end of this financial year with a view to it continuing in the next fin year. Several streets were nominated by Council including St James Road, Bondi Junction, Millers St, Waverley and 20 TVO
Busby Parade, Bronte, however, the policy allows for any resident from any street to lodge an application. Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said there were many benefits in expanding the use of quiet streets to become places of activity, such as games, sport and bike riding. “With more and more kids growing up in apartments and houses being built on smaller blocks of land where there’s no yard or outdoor space at home for play, I think the capacity to be able to play on the street is a really important option and opportunity for kids and families,” Cr Masselos said. Meanwhile, Liverpool City Council gained strong community backing to quickly transform a graffiticovered alley off Liverpool station from being an unattractive laneway into a vibrant hub of community life. The council has developed plans to turn Railway Lane into a shared pedestrian zone with seating, trees and businesses such as cafés. Before finalising the vision, the council will trial measures such as movable stools instead of fixed benches, planter boxes instead of street trees, and coloured surface treatments instead of new curbs. Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller said the trial will allow the council to refine aspects of the project to deliver the best results for the community. “It’s very hard to move trees and street furniture once they’re installed,” Waller said. “With this trial we might notice that people are gathering further up the street than we expected so we can change the position of the street furniture or the shading. “It’s a great way to make changes quickly without a big capital investment up-front,” she said.
Aligning movement and place on streets can give users of all ages and abilities better, safer and healthier travel options while creating enjoyable urban environments for people.
