These Shared Zones are designed to make these areas more accessible for everyone, correcting some of the issues that were affecting travellers.

This will be achieved by keeping the footpath flat and creating wide ramps into the road space, where the ramps were previously cutting into an already narrow footpath.

These choices will make it easier for people to cross the road when walking, pushing a pram, or riding a bike or other wheeled mobility option, and improve the ease of simply walking along the footpath.

When designing project concepts, we undertake modelling to ensure that in the event of flooding, the works will not make flooding effects worse.

The original concept for these Shared Zones proposed raised thresholds, meaning the road would be elevated to meet the level of the footpath at crossing points. The flood modelling found that this concept did not provide adequate drainage, and that the shared zone will need to allow water to flow along the road pavement during a flood event.

We modified our design based on these findings.

Rather than raising the road pavement, the modified design uses speed humps either side of the main crossing locations at John St, Hutchinson St on Albert St and at Elesbury Ave on Victoria St, to slow the traffic to the design 20km/h speed limit, and ramps from the current edge of the footpath into the road.

This design choice streamlines access for pedestrians when crossing, while still allowing any excess stormwater to flow along the road during major flood events.

The number of parking spaces available will generally be retained as it was for the trial. However, some spaces will be relocated to allow greater clearance around the main pedestrian crossing areas at Albert St/John St and Victoria St/Elesbury Ave.

This, combined with the new ramps will greatly improve visibility for all road users, creating a safer on-road environment.

Available parking is indicated on the Concept Plans available in the Document Library on this page.

The design includes provision for multiple new trees, garden beds and permeable areas, replacing the trial tree planter boxes with permanent greenery for the area.

The Shared Zones will be paved with a distinct earthy red-coloured asphalt and white tiled line marking, installed in long-life paint.

These are expected to require little maintenance to keep the zone looking fresh and different from other road areas.

Shared Zones are required to be obviously district from other road areas as to clearly note the different way road users should behave in the area.

Speed humps will be used to slow traffic either side of the main pedestrian crossing locations at John Street and Hutchinson Street and at Victoria Street and Elesbury Ave.

We are also working with the Department of Transport to permanently lower the speed limit within the shared zones to 20km/h. This will continue to make the zone safe for all people who use it.