Strategy to improve CBD safety and access

Published on 27 January 2022

Improving access for people with disabilities, more all-day car parking spaces and making the CBD safer and easier to access are among key actions in the Mildura CBD Access and Mobility Strategy.

The strategy will be considered by Mildura Rural City Councillors at tonight’s Ordinary Council meeting and follows three rounds of consultation with the community.

Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said the strategy flowed from the broader Mildura CBD Plan 2020-2035, which identified that while there was already excellent disabled access within the CBD, there was a need to ensure residents had better and safe access into the precinct.

“The Mildura CBD Access and Mobility Strategy aims to address these and many other important priorities, and as a result is a vital component of the broader CBD Plan that will make a real difference to our community’s experience in the CBD,” Cr Wood said.

Key actions in the strategy include:

• Additional disabled parking, including loading zones within the CBD transitioning to disabled parking from 11.30am each day and  taxi ranks doubling as disabled drop-off/pick-up points
• Protected cycle-paths leading into the CBD to make it safer and encourage more people to ride into the CBD
• New signage clearly indicating distances and walking times to key CBD locations
• Subject to further discussion with businesses, more all-day parking in several prominent CBD car parks, which will benefit CBD business employees
• More consistency in timed parking to ensure less confusion for shoppers.

Cr Wood said that while he wouldn’t be able to vote on the Mildura CBD Access and Mobility Strategy due to being a business owner within the CBD, he had his own personal views on the strategy.

“There are some great actions in this strategy that will really improve all forms of traffic flow within the CBD,” he said.

“It’s important that we listen to community voices on all issues regarding long term strategies. Based on recent feedback I’ve received from the community, and the feedback provided during development of the strategy, I understand proposed changes to speed limits in the CBD is an issue some in our community are concerned about.

“We must be very careful with how we approach the CBD, especially after the two-and-a-half years of COVID and the immense struggle that many businesses have faced.  

“While I can’t vote on this matter, I look forward to seeing my fellow Councillors debate this important strategy.”

ENDS