The Chapel Street Transformation project (by Stonnington Council) is well underway, and a master plan is about to be prepared. One of the main fears that could be on the agenda is to remove on-street parking from the iconic Chapel Street.

This would force ALL cars into COUNCIL-OWNED PAID PARKING. 

Chapel Street is the largest High Street Retail Precinct in the country with over 2200 businesses.

We believe it is under threat if cars are removed and people are discouraged from coming from other areas by car.

Council and its consultants have not yet conducted a full parking and access, retail impact study for this "transformation project". That must be done before any further work.

So far, the project is being driven by cycling lobbying groups, and to date, all the consultation sees a massive over-representation of cyclists - 13% of those surveyed are cyclists, whereas in reality, only 2% of visitors to Chapel Street travel by bike. 

The plan is to also put in TRAM SUPER STOPS which will destroy traffic flow down the street.  (we have already seen them destroy retail in the City of Port Phillip and the Melbourne CBD)

We believe Stonnington will introduce paid parking on Chapel Street first, and gradually remove on-street spaces, add trees and bike racks in their place, and push all cars into off-street PAID car parks. This is because Council is addicted to revenue growth and has not approached the 2200 businesses that operate in Chapel St.

The vision is to separate the 4 areas within the Precinct giving each area its own identity

1. Windsor - European alfresco style dining and widening the footpaths
2. Prahran - celebrating open spaces of Princes Park and Prahran Square
3. South Yarra - Fashion and retail focus
4. Forest Hill (North of Toorak Rd) - An oasis for people to stop and rest… 

This "sounds good" but it lacks common sense.

Traders are furious as the Council has continued to spend millions of public money to date. cannot show any return on investment, cannot show any business case, and has used motherhood statements and rhetoric to publish numerous "reports". They are trying to create a mall without control of the shops.....

What the Council needs to do, is stop this overly expensive consultant fest and simply focus on what will drive people to visit Chapel Street.

We ask Stonnington Council to:

1. Stop this strategy immediately and not spend $1 more
2. Beatify the precinct with more trees and plantings
3. Prioritise cleanliness and safety in Chapel Street for all users
4. Let businesses get on with it and run themselves
5. Support trader marketing associations to promote the retail precincts (that is their Job and not councils)

The council has no place meddling in areas it does not have any expertise or experience. The council needs to focus on its responsibilities of cleanliness and safety, it has no idea how to run business precincts!

Please sign this petition to support SAVING CHAPEL STREET and tell  Stonnington Council to focus on the 5 items above.