Yarra City Council has endorsed an innovative eight-month pilot to create safer and more welcoming streets around Princes Hill Primary School by reallocating road space to support pedestrians and cyclists.
The decision follows previous pilots and community consultation on the proposed changes to Wilson Street, Park Street and surrounding streets.
At its August meeting, Council received the community engagement findings and endorsed the concept plan for a pilot, which is planned for the 2026/27 financial year. This incorporates several changes to respond to further work and local feedback.
The pilot is part of Council’s New Deal for Schools program, which supports safer, healthier and more active journeys to and from school. Work at Princes Hill Primary School began in 2025–26 with active travel promotion, bike safety checks and Ride2School activities.
What the pilot will deliver
These improvements will transform the existing street space and create more space for walking, cycling and placemaking along the school frontage.
Park Street will be closed to through traffic at the existing school crossing to create a full-time safe connection into the Linear Park, while Solly Avenue west of Wilson Street will become one-way westbound and Wilson Street between Park Street and Pigdon Street will become one-way northbound. Traffic-calming measures such as islands, line marking, and signage will be installed to make these changes. Other elements include investigating further walking upgrades, accessibility improvements and a comprehensive review of car parking in the area.
Safer, better streets for all
We want to make Wilson Street, Park Street and surrounding areas safer, better and healthier for all. We know that school students want to get to and from school by walking, cycling or scooting, and that there are barriers that stop this from happening.
For example, parents and students told us they were concerned with the speed of cars travelling near the school. We know that around 13 per cent of vehicles on Park Street exceed the limit during school pick-up and drop-off, rising to 18 per cent across the day, and there are also relatively high speeds on Wilson Street directly outside the school gates.
The pilot will test whether conditions like speeding improve, by improving access, comfort and safety while maintaining essential local traffic access. We will also hear directly from local communities over the course of the eight-month pilot, giving Council feedback that is also incorporated into the project’s evaluation.
Considering the evidence together previous work gives Council the opportunity to assess the proposal against clear, measurable outcomes and clarity for local communities.
A test-and-learn approach
The pilot period allows residents, families, businesses and commuters to experience the changes and provide informed feedback, building on the previous pilots through the New Deal for Schools. Coupled with the use of adjustable infrastructure, this is a significant benefit for local communities. It allows Council to respond to comments, suggestions and concerns during the life of the pilot by moving or removing elements of the design where needed.
Council will also investigate further walking improvements as part of any future permanent designs, including a zebra crossing at Wilson and Pigdon streets and separate north–south walking and cycling paths near North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House.
What happens next
Pilot infrastructure is scheduled to be installed shortly. A timeline will be shared with the community once more details are confirmed. Council will continue community consultation throughout the eight-month pilot and make any minor adjustments as required.
There will also be further data collection over this time including parking usage and traffic counts. Together with the community engagement feedback and other relevant information, this comprehensive evaluation will consider safety, active travel, traffic and parking, and community views.
The pilot is an exciting project that gives Council and the community a practical opportunity to try new things, understand benefits and impacts, and refine any long-term approach using real-world evidence.
