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Councils - Metropolitan Melbourne

Moonee Valley City Council

Moonee Valley draft Budget 2013/14 available for public comment

01 May 2013. Moonee Valley Council's draft Budget 2013/14 is available for public comment until 23 May 2013, see council website here.

As a ratepayer and rider in the City of Moonee Valley now is the time for council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the Moonee Valley riding environment. We encourage you to make a submission to council.

Bicycle Network's own budget submission to Moonee Valley Council is available here.

Bicycle Network Victoria needs your membership support to continue to campaign for improving riding conditions for all riders. Become a member and receive crash cover and support, rider information and deals and help improve riding conditions.

Moonee Valley riders - drafting council Budget 2013/14 underway

05 March 2013. As you read this Moonee Valley City Council is preparing its draft 2013/14 Budget. The time to act is now for more bike infrastructure funding!

Last financial year was a very lean year, with council only funding $5.54 per resident on bike related infrastructure.

Cycling participation in Moonee Valley is on the increase: On census day in 2011, 961 people rode to work by bicycle. In the 2006 census, this number was 729. (This is a +31.82% change).

Click here to tell your Council to invest in bike infrastructure (E-mail contacts for local Council and Councillors provided) in the 2013/14 Budget, to keep up with the increase in riders in Moonee Valley.

As a ratepayer and rider in the City of Moonee Valley now is the time for Council to hear from you if you want more funding to improve the Moonee Valley riding environment.

Bicycle Network Victoria needs your membership support to continue to campaign for improving riding conditions for all riders. Become a member and receive crash cover and support, rider information and deals and help improve riding conditions.

More information can be found in the Bicycle Expenditure Index (BiXE) report.

Bicycle Expenditure Index (BiXE) 2012

15 November 2012. The City of Moonee Valley’s BiXE rating for 2012 is $5.54. This is above the Middle Zone council average for 2012, which is $4.89. This is based upon council spending of $630,000 and population of 113,657.

Relevant bicycle related investment for the 2012/2013 financial year includes but is not necessarily limited to expenditure upon the following projects/programs:
• Craigieburn Rail Corridor bicycle lanes: Craigieburn Rail corridor, Newmarket Station to Essendon Station
• Maribyrnong River valley shared path works
• Travancore Park shared path feasibility: Travancore Park, Mooltan Street, Travancore
• General cycling improvements (various)
• Signage/infrastructure and cycle parking: Racecourse Road/Pin Oak Crescent, Flemington (placement of signage and parking facilities to accommodate cyclists)
• Road Safety Plan implementation – Strathmore Secondary College reconstruction of shared path at Moonee Ponds Creek
• Supplying and installing bike racks

Additional spending sourced from external grants and funds may apply, but that is outside the scope of BiXE reporting.

The City of Moonee Valley achieved a five-year BiXE average of $5.27. This is above the Middle Zone council five-year average for 2012, which is $5.12.

See full BiXE report available here.

See media here and here.

VoteBike - Local Council Elections 2012

27 October 2012. Local council elections are being held in Victoria on October 27 2012. Bicycle Network Victoria is once again running VoteBike that allows you to engage with potential candidates on local cycling issues. We will collect statements from candidates about their commitment to cycling in Moonee Valley and publish them on the VoteBike Facebook event page for you to comment on.

Bicycle Network Victoria has identified the following key projects for the City of Moonee Valley that need the support of local councilors: 

To view candidate statements for Moonee Valley go to our Find a Candidate page. Or to comment on candidate statements as well as voice your support for particular local cycling projects, visit our Facebook events page for Moonee Valley.

VoteBike allows you to have your say and make sure your vote counts for improved cycling conditions in your local area.

Moonee Valley route upgrade proposed

17 May 2012. The main bike route into the city from Essendon in Melbourne's north-west, Mt Alexander Road, is in line for a major upgrade that would remove a stretch of traffic lane and replace it with a separated bike lane.

The proposal would significantly improve the route for bike riders but would have no negative impact on other traffic, according to a study commissioned by the City of Moonee Valley.

Mt Alexander Road, although a high priority route on the principal bicycle network, does not currently have continuous bike lanes on both sides.

Rider numbers are consequently lower than would otherwise be expected on a direct route relatively close to the central city.

The bike lane is proposed for the southbound side of the road between Essendon and Moonee Ponds, along which there are currently three traffic lanes.

The study, undertaken by CDM Research, established that only 15 per cent of motor traffic used the outside lane. The other two lanes had more than enough capacity to absorb this traffic without any adverse effects.

The proposal is highly significant as it highlights the reality that on a number of priority bike routes in Melbourne the traffic lanes have excessive capacity that should be reallocated as space for improved bike lanes.

On this section of Mt Alexander Road there is sufficient space to place the bike lane kerb-side of the parked cars, thus creating a protected bike lane.

Although the road is nominally a VicRoads responsibility, and VicRoads had previously proposed to create lanes by an expensive narrowing of the median, the council preferred to develop a more attractive and less costly alternative.

The council's newly developed walking and cycling strategy sets ambitious goals for improving bike riding facilities in the area.

A survey of riders undertaken by the council in 2010 identified the route as in dire need of improvement.

The project has been costed at about $500,000. It includes a range of other road improvements and modifications in addition to the new lanes.

The council is to write to the Premier, Minister for Roads and Public Transport, and VicRoads requesting that "Council and VicRoads work together to achieve a high quality southbound on-road bicycle lane for Mount Alexander Road, between Keilor Road and the Moonee Ponds Junction."

A copy of the report to council is here.
The CDM research report is here.

Draft Strategy nearing completion

26 April 2012 We have been asked to write to Council in suuport of their draft strategy. You can see our letter of support here.

$15M bike vision for Moonee Valley

The City of Moonee Valley has unveiled an ambitious draft plan to get more people riding and walking in the municipality, including a major upgrade to the Moonee Ponds creek trail.

And in a move sure to be applauded throughout Melbourne's middle, north-western suburbs, the municipality's notorious roundabouts are set for a bike-friendly make over.

The 10-year walking and cycling strategy was endorsed at a Moonee Valley Council meeting last week as part of a push to promote healthy lifestyles and provide more travel options for commuters.

Key ideas include:

Mayor Jim Cusack said the council had a focus on encouraging walking and riding for short trips, instead of using the car.

Studies have shown the percentage of walkers and riders in Moonee Valley is low compared with
neighbouring Moreland and Maribyrnong.

Public consultation for the draft strategy will take place in February.

Go to the council page on the strategy to fill out the online survey about the draft strategy and read the fact sheet and download the Draft Walking and Cycling Strategy (Large download)

The City is inviting riders to participate in aCycling workshop on 1 March, 6 to 8pm in Council Chambers, 9 Kellaway Avenue (enter from Pascoe Vale Road).

Mt Alexander Road closed

7 January 2012. Mt Alexander Road in Flemington and Travencore is closed for extensive works for the next week and bike riders should take the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail.

The Moonee Ponds Creek Trail alternative will take you around the back of the Travancore developments There are also bike paths on Racecourse Road.

More details and the detour map here.

Due to the safety fencing within the workzone the footpath is only 1.5m wide. VicRoads has asked that cyclists who must use the the footpath route walk their bikes through the tight gap.

There are limited crossing points at this location but the underpass of the the Moonee Ponds Creek bridge is open as usual.

The works are part of a three month project to upgrade tram stops on Route 59.

Results from Super Tuesday 2010

22 June 2010. Click here to read an article regarding the Super Tuesday 2010 results, published in the Moonee Valley Leader.

BiXE 2009: City of Moonee Valley

Moonee Valley City Council scored a BiXE 2009 of $5.20. This shows Moonee Valley is below the Middle Councils' average BiXE 2009 of $5.95 but has achieved the $5 per resident threshold. Moonee Valley has a 3 year BiXE average of $3.90 and has shown a steady improvement over that time.

Moonee Valley City Council has opportunities to invest these funds into cycling infrastructure such as:
• Continue to upgrade Moonee Ponds Creek path
• Building the missing link in the Steele Creek path between the Maribyrnong River path, including an underpass of Buckley Street, continuing north to the Calder
• Providing more on road bike lanes on Council-maintained roads, particularly around schools.

Have your say on bike lane proposals for Mt Alexander Rd, Travancore

 
9 April 2009. VicRoads and Yarra Trams are proposing a bike lane initiative along Mt Alexander Road, from Boundary Road to Mooltan Street in Travancore.

Moonee Valley City Council is inviting community feedback on the proposal.
 
The plans include new inbound and outbound tram platform stops at the Flemington Community Centre, dedicated bicycle lanes along Mt Alexander Road, and improvements to pedestrian facilities in the area.
 
Works will include:

Moonee Valley Council allocates Federal funds to bike paths

March 09 Councillors have voted to spend the Rudd Government's infrastructure grant on developing bike infrastructure in Moonee Valley. The Moonee Ponds Creek path at Ormond Park will gain $50,000, the restoration of Newsom Bridge will receive $100,000 whilst a proposed pontoon at Canning Reserve will benefit from an injection of $116,000. The remaining $130,000 will go towards a shared bike path between the Calder and Tullamarine freeways.

Mt Alexander Rd and Fletcher St roundabout to provide marginal improvement for riders.

Jan 07 This busy roundabout has long been an issue for bike riders, especially when heading north along Mt Alexander Road. Bicycle Victoria submitted a proposal a number of years ago for improvements to the intersection

 

Bicycle Network Victoria proposal for Mt Alexander Road

It now looks like VicRoads will build some of the suggested improvements by separating bikes from vehicle traffic on the approach to the intersection. This will be done by making an exclusive bike lane through the existing traffic island or ‘deflection kerb’.

Unfortunately the new lane will stop just short of the roundabout and riders will have to wait beside the vehicle lane until it is clear before joining the lane just before the intersection.  This means that riders will have to wait for significant periods to get into the roundabout. It also means there is no dedicated space for bikes within the roundabout.

Bicycle Victoria is disappointed with the partial solution, which has been pursued by VicRoads in spite of repeated submissions from Bicycle Network Victoria and Moonee Valley Council. While the new layout will provide some more protection for riders, the roundabout will require more improvements to make it a good bike route.

New parking at the Junction

Moonee Valley has installed 32 new bike parking spaces.

Find Rides in Moonee Valley area

Apr 06 For a list of upcoming MVBUG rides click on the Moonee Valley BUG link.

Macaulay Road Bike Lanes

Apr 06 Moonee Valley City Council is currently designing bike lanes for Macaulay Road between Kensington Road and Stubbs St. Bicycle Network Victoria is working with council to provide the best possible conditions for cyclists. The current proposal combines dedicated bike lanes and wide kerbside lanes where the road narrows. We are hopeful that this important project for cyclists in the inner west will be implemented within months.

Inauguration of the Moonee Valley Bicycle Users Group

Feb 06 Thursday 2 March, from 7pm at the Civic Centre (9 Kellaway Ave). Please RSVP by Monday, 27 February to: mvbug@mvcc.vic.gov.au 

Simon Bennett, the Sustainable Transport Officer at Moonee Valley City Council says "We are calling all young, young at heart, families, individuals, friends, the serious and the not so serious bike riders to come along to register your support in establishing a Moonee Valley Bicycle Users Group (MVBUG)."

Please RSVP your attendance by 5pm, Monday 27th February 2006 by either contacting Kathie Schnue on 9243 8820 or emailing your name, address and telephone to the contact above.

Can't make the meeting but really want to be involved? Send an email to the contact above. This is a great opportunity to discuss what a BUG can do to progress cycling within our community.

Moonee Ponds Creek Trail at Strathnaver Reserve

Jun 05 For more information on the redevelopment of the reserve see Improving the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail.

Spring Gully Reserve bike path

Jun 05 A new, smooth 800m long and 2.5m wide concrete path has been installed near Susan Court in Keilor East. It replaces the old, broken, damages asphalt track. The old wooden chicanes will not be reinstated which is great news as they restricted access to the trail for people on recumbant bikes or wheelchairs.

Steele Creek Trail

May 05 The Valley Lake Estate development in Keilor East will be connected to the Steele Creek Trail thanks to VicUrban who have confirmed they will construct a footbridge at Perscia Place.

Cycling and Walking Strategy

Oct 04 A Cycling and Walking Strategy for the Moonee Valley municipality is being developed, to help foster a culture of walking and cycling within the City and to raise the profile of what can be passive, active, relaxing, competitive or just enjoyable activities. A survey was carried out by council in April 2004.

Jul 03 VicRoads has constructed a new shared path and bike lanes along Smithfield Rd from Epsom Rd to the other side of the Maribyrnong River, which improves access to the Footscray campus of Victoria University, although there is still a short gap to complete the route. The new path links with the Racecourse Rd bike lanes and will take cyclists to Flemington Rd and the City.

Bicycle Network Victoria is working closely with Moonee Valley City Council and the local Bicycle Users Group (BUG) to help develop local bicycle projects.

Bicycle Network Victoria met with Moonee Valley’s new manager of Traffic and Transportation, Ozzie Martinz, and Frank Kinnersley from the local BUG in January 2003 to help set bike project priorities in the municipality and help develop design solutions.

Council agreed they would develop a proposal to link Moreland Rd to Essendon via local streets for a bid for VicRoads Bicycle Programs funding. This project would provide an important east west connection across Essendon with a connection to existing bicycle lanes Mt Alexander Rd. Bicycle Network Victoria handed over our measurements of the road involved to aid the development of the proposal.

Bicycle Network Victoria also handed over road measurement sheets for several local roads including Union Rd, Ascot Vale, and Epsom Rd that are potential candidates for bike lanes. The road measurements show how bike lanes could be marked on these roads and 'starts the ball rolling' on these projects. Its an example of Bicycle Network Victoria doing the background work that can help get more safe places to ride.

After much delay commuter cyclists will be pleased to know that the bike lanes on Mt Alexander Rd will soon be completed in the missing lower section from Mooltan Rd to City Link.

Cyclists currently have to merge with traffic travelling south as the bike lanes give out at Mooltan Rd, often having to share a traffic lane with motor vehicles. This is daunting for the experienced rider not to mention less experienced riders we are trying to encourage to ride.

The new lanes mean that cyclists can travel all the way from Puckle St to Elizabeth St in peak hour on bike lanes and are sure to improve safety and convenience for cyclists and improve the road overall.

Bicycle Network Victoria will continue to work with Council and the Local BUG to provide more cycling facilities in Moonee Valley. We want council to develop a Bicycle Works Program to plan bike facilities (rather than doing it ad-hoc) and to make a funding committment of at least $100,000 per year to make Moonee Valley more bicycle friendly.

Bicycle projects that we consider to be high priority include: