What you need to know

Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan 

The Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan aims to create an active and vibrant high street which prioritises people, supports public transport, walking and bike riding and has more trees and greenery.

Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan

The Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan

 

The Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan has been shaped by the local community in partnership with Moonee Valley City Council and City of Melbourne.

Community feedback has been instrumental in shaping the plan, ensuring it reflects the diverse needs of those who live, visit and travel along Racecourse Road. You can find out more on our Your Say page.

Both councils will continue to work with the Victorian Government to implement the Plan to ensure Racecourse Road is safe, welcoming and accessible for everyone.

The Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan was endorsed by Moonee Valley City Council on 27 August 2024 and the Future Melbourne Committee on 3 September 2024. RRSIP sets a vision for Racecourse Road to be a green, equitable, inclusive and safe transport corridor where local businesses thrive, and communities connect.

 

Strategic Improvements

Prioritise people
  • Upgrade lighting to improve perceptions of safety and activation
  • Review street cleaning program
  • Provide comfortable areas to sit
  • Improve wayfinding
Green the street
  • Plant new canopy trees
  • Increase and enhance the urban forest
  • Increase understory landscaping
  • Implement water sensitive urban design features
Create an active and vibrant street
  • Honour Country
  • Public art installations
  • Activate underutilised spaces
  • Shop front activation
  • Upgrade public spaces and support the local economy (longer term improvement)
Support walking and riding
  • Raised side street pedestrian crossings
  • Prioritise additional crossing time at traffic signals for people walking
  • Widen crossings to make it safer to cross
  • Create more usable space on footpaths
  • Investigate removal of slip lane at Smithfield Road
  • Review speed limits
  • Create more safe space for people riding (longer term improvement)
Encourage public transport
  • Improve accessibility at tram stops
  • Improve tram//train interchange
  • Improve amenity around tram stops
  • Provide real-time information displays
Consider all modes of transport
  • Consider parking needs
  • Provide transport options for all users
  • Optimise traffic signal timings to reduce conflicts between transport modes

Implementation

 

An implementation plan for the Racecourse Road Strategic Improvements Plan is being developed.

Many improvements sought in the plan fall within the responsibility of the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning, such as public transport improvements and separated bike lanes. Both councils will work together to advocate for these changes.

Other changes such as greening, footpath upgrades and local activations fall within the responsibility of both councils.