Dear all, Since the last time we contacted you, Yarra Council has constructed half the initial length of the Wellington Street protected lanes. However, Yarra Council have become increasingly reluctant in priorising funding bicycle infrastructure. 1. Background Call for Yarra Council to complete new bike strategy: http://www.yarrabug.org/2016/02/10/call-yarra-council-complete-bike-strategy/ What’s the future of cycling in Yarra?: http://www.yarrabug.org/2015/11/24/future-cycling-yarra/ Council Budget Planning http://yarraconversation.com.au/council-budget1 2. Yarra Council Meeting this Tuesday 5th April 2016 At 7pm, Tuesday 5th April at Richmond Town Hall, Yarra Council will consider two items on both the Wellington St lanes (11.1) and the Proposed budget (11.2). You can read the items here (pdf download, 40 pages) http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/DownloadDocument.ashx?DocumentID=14412 We again ask you to contact Yarra Councillors to show your support for getting on with funding bicycle infrastructure in Yarra. With 9.97% of residents who ride daily, Yarra has the highest proportion of people who cycle to work in Australia. More than two in every five residents walk, cycle or catch public transport to go to work. We demand that council priorises sustainable transport infrastructure and not merely pay lip service to having high cycling participation mainly due in part to it's proximity to the inner city. 3. What you can do: You can do this by either emailing councillors with your concerns and if possible, attending Tuesday nights council meeting and presenting during Public Question Time. Cr Roberto Colanzi: mayor@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Jackie Fristacky: Jackie.Fristacky@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Sam Gaylard: Sam.Gaylard@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Geoff Barbour: Geoff.Barbour@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Stephen Jolly: Stephen.Jolly@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Amanda Stone: Amanda.Stone@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Misha Coleman: Misha.Coleman@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Simon Huggins: Simon.Huggins@yarracity.vic.gov.au Cr Phillip Vlahogiannis: phillip.vlahogiannis@yarracity.vic.gov.au 4. Things to consider telling Yarra Councillors: - You use the Wellington Street lanes regularly, - You are a local resident, - You ride more regularly or know of those who do due to the protected lanes, - You want council to be proactive in funding alternative transport to vehicles, eg: painted lines on the road is not enough, - Your own story about riding in Yarra. 5. About Public Question Time: Yarra City Council welcomes questions from members of the community. Public question time is an opportunity to ask questions, not to make statements or engage in debate. Questions should not relate to items listed on the agenda. (Council will consider submissions on these items separately.) Members of the public who wish to participate are to: (a) state their name clearly for the record; (b) direct their questions to the chairperson; (c) ask a maximum of two questions; (d) speak for a maximum of five minutes; (e) refrain from repeating questions that have been asked previously by themselves or others; and (f) remain silent following their question unless called upon by the chairperson to make further comment. Thank you, Chris Star For Yarra Bicycle Users Group http://www.yarrabug.org