Page 1 of 17 Report to the Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee Agenda item 6.1 Whiteman Street / Port Junction Tram Platform Stop 7 July 2015 Planning Permit Application TP-2014-1041 Presenters: Karen Snyders, Acting Manager Planning and Building Geoff Robinson, Manager Engineering Services Purpose and background 1. The purpose of this report is to: 1.1. Seek approval for management to approve the works associated with the construction of a central island platform at Tram Stop 125 in Whiteman Street for Route 96 and 109 tram services and to approve a separate adjacent platform on a third track for the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant. 1.2. Advise the Future Melbourne Committee of a Planning Application, TP-2014-1041 for the components of the proposed works that require a planning permit being road works under the Land Subject to Flood Inundation Overlay, to display advertising signs in a Public Use Zone (PUZ4 – Transport), and to remove native vegetation under Clause 52.17 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme. 2. This report was requested by Cr Leppert. 3. The Yarra Trams/PTV proposal includes the construction of a third track turnout from Clarendon Street and the removal of the existing tram stop safety zones in Clarendon Street, located either side of Normanby Road, which service Routes 12, 96 and 109. These actions will enable tram priority signal improvements and remove the existing need for Route 96 and 109 tram services to stop twice within 100 metres. Removal of the safety zones is also required to maintain traffic capacity on Clarendon Street. Concept plans are provided as Attachment 3. Key issues 4. Clarendon Street is an arterial road managed by VicRoads, while Whiteman Street is a local road under the care and management of the Council. Normanby Road Reserve is crown land managed by the Council and reserved for Public Recreation. 5. The construction date is yet to be scheduled and is subject to the Council issuing a Planning Permit for the works. Community and stakeholder engagement undertaken by PTV and Yarra Trams indicated that there was strong support for the proposal. Yarra Trams is responsible for all community consultation related to the proposed works. One objection to the planning application has been received. 6. The upgraded platforms and construction of a separate platform for the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant will be Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant and will improve pedestrian safety and amenity. The improvements will also reduce delays to the regular Route 96 and 109 tram services. New shelters with signage are proposed. The overall works will necessitate the removal of 19 Eucalyptus camaldelensis (River Red Gum trees) and a further four trees are impacted by the works in the Normanby Road Reserve. 7. Traffic capacity will be maintained in Clarendon Street, Whiteman Street and Normanby Road. The existing stock of on-street parking in Whiteman Street will also be maintained. The proposed tram works will not adversely impact on the existing off-road shared pedestrian / bike paths on Whiteman Street and Normanby Road. Improvements to the existing pedestrian / bike crossings of the tram reserve are included in the scope of works for this tram project. 8. The key issues for consideration of the planning application are addressed by conditions of permit requiring a landscape plan, offsets from the removal of native vegetation, a reduction of the number of advertising signs and conditions required by Melbourne Water. The design has been reviewed by officers from Engineering Services and Urban Landscapes (Tree Planting and Urban Design) and is supported. Recommendation from management 9. That the Future Melbourne Committee: 9.1. Resolves to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit, subject to the conditions listed in the attached delegate report (see Attachment 4). 9.2. Notes that, if a planning permit is issued, the Manager Engineering Services will approve, under delegation, the proposed tram works that relate to Council’s road management responsibilities. Attachments: 1 Supporting Attachment 2 Travel Time Impact Assessment 3 Concept Plans of Tram Works 4 Delegated Planning Officer Report 1. Page 2 of 17 Attachment 1 Agenda item 6.1 Supporting Attachment Future Melbourne Committee 7 July 2015 Legal 1. The exemptions under Clause 52.17 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme for the removal of native vegetation does not apply so the removal requires a planning permit. Finance 2. There is no cost to Council associated with the construction of the tram platform project. 3. The project results in a no change of on-street parking spaces and subsequently no change in parking meter revenue. 4. Tree Planning has recommended a condition of planning permit requiring a bank guarantee to be provide to the Council. The guarantee is to be of an equivalent environmental and amenity value of all Council trees impacted by the works. Conflict of interest 5. No member of Council staff, or other person engaged under a contract, involved in advising on or preparing this report has declared a direct or indirect interest in relation to the matter of the report. Stakeholder consultation 6. Yarra Trams has undertaken significant public consultation in regards to the tram works project. 7. Yarra Trams will also be responsible for undertaking all public consultation regarding the removal and replanting of vegetation required by the tram works. 8. Notification of the planning application was given, as detailed the attached delegate report (see Attachment 4). Relation to Council policy 9. The proposed construction of the tram platform stop is in line with Section 7 of Council’s Transport Strategy 2012 which states that “Tram operations in the City of Melbourne will be improved to offer a more frequent and reliable service. Tram stops will be better integrated into the public realm to improve access, safety and amenity, with 90 per cent of stops upgraded to ‘level access’ by 2016”. 10. Relevant planning policies are discussed in the delegate report (see Attachment 4). Environmental sustainability 11. A condition of permit can require the loss of native vegetation to be offset. The proposal as a whole is considered to have a net community benefit. 1 Page 3 of 17 Attachment 2 Agenda item 6.1 Future Melbourne Committee 7 July 2015 Attachment 2 Port Junction Tram Works Summary of Net Travel Time Savings for Tram Passengers Increased Walking Time (associated with passengers currently boarding / alighting at the tram safety zone stops which are being removed from Clarendon Street, either side of Normanby Road) Route 12: Approximately 530 passengers per day currently board and alight Route 12 tram services (travelling along Clarendon Street) at the existing tram safety zone stops located either side of Normanby Road. These passengers will be required to walk up to 225 metres further to access existing tram stops located at either City Road or outside the Exhibition Centre. Assuming an average walking speed of 1.2 metres per second, this is equivalent to approximately 27.6 additional walking hours per day for these passengers. Route 96 and 109: Approximately 760 passengers per day currently board and alight outbound Route 96 and 109 tram services at the existing tram safety zone stop located in Clarendon Street immediately north of Normanby Road. These passengers will be required to walk 70 metres further to access the new Port Junction tram platform located on the north side of Whiteman Street immediately west of Clarendon Street. Assuming an average walking speed of 1.2 metres per second, this is equivalent to approximately 12.3 additional walking hours per day for these passengers. In summary, the additional walking time associated with all tram passengers currently boarding and alighting at the tram safety zones stops being removed from Clarendon Street, either side of Normanby Road, is estimated at approximately 40 additional walking hours per day. Reduced Travel Times for Tram Passengers (associated with passengers on trams not experience delays by stopping at the existing safety zones either side of Normanby Road. This also enables tram traffic signal priority to be implemented at this intersection) Route 12: Approximately 7,300 passengers per day currently travel in both directions on Route 12 tram services along Clarendon Street through the intersection of Normanby Road / Whiteman Street. Yarra Trams estimates that these passengers will be experience an average travel time improvement of 50 second per tram service. This is specifically related to eliminating the need for trams to stop to load and unload passengers at the existing tram safety zone stops either side of Normanby Road and the subsequent proposed implementation of tram traffic signal priority to reduce delays. Page 4 of 17 This is equivalent to an improvement of approximately 101 total travel time hours per day for these passengers. Route 96 and 109: Approximately 10,600 passengers per day currently outbound on Route 96 and 109 tram services which turn right from Clarendon Street towards the Port Junction tram stop and through the intersection of Normanby Road. Yarra Trams estimates that these outbound passengers will be experience an average travel time improvement of 40 second per tram service. This is specifically related to eliminating the need for trams to stop to load and unload passengers at the existing tram safety zone stop located immediately north of Normanby Road and the subsequent proposed implementation of tram traffic signal priority to reduce delays. This is equivalent to an improvement of approximately 118 total travel time hours per day for these passengers. In summary, the removal of the existing tram safety zone stops located on Clarendon Street either side of Normanby Road is estimated to improve overall passengers travel times by a total of approximately 219 hours per day. Net Travel Time Improvements 1,290 tram passengers currently boarding or alighting tram services at the existing tram safety zone stops proposed to be removed will be required to walk up to 225 metres further to access adjacent tram stop locations.