Parkville coming alive

As I write this column, O-Week is back at Melbourne University with Royal Parade and some of the student accommodation in Parkville buzzing with excitement. New students, many from overseas, are familiarising themselves with our area. Hopefully, we are seeing confidence returning to Melbourne and Naughtons filling up with old friends.

The Parkville Association is holding its AGM at Naughtons Hotel on March 21, the first in-person meeting since March 2020. It’s hard to believe that night, Peter Doherty spoke of the new pandemic and what it might mean for us. The following weekend we were locked down. At the AGM, activities and the results of lobbying and development over the past two years will be reported.

The primary focus for the past couple of months has been on the proposed development at 35-39 Royal Parade. As previously mentioned, we are vehemently opposed to the action. To date, there have been over thirty well-worked objections, many thanks to those who have contributed.

Currently, the Association is actively involved in the Parkville Heritage Review, and our secretary Bruce Pertzel is spending hours ploughing through 50 boxes of our archives at the Baillieu Library. We have an amazing history, and the team from the City of Melbourne is working in concert with residents, having received nearly 50 submissions to date. For those unaware of the Review, go to the Participate Melbourne page on the council website and follow the links. Given that 2023 is our 150th birthday in Parkville, the study is relevant and vital.

I have been contacted recently by a couple of members regarding the E scooters popping up on our footpaths. This matter was discussed at the North Melbourne Police Community Consultative Committee, which I chair. There is a significant concern for the safety of pedestrians given the scooters’ speed and bulk with an average person riding one. It is worth noting it is currently against the law to ride a privately owned scooter on a public road, cycle lane or footpath. E scooters over 200 watts or can travel at more than 10km per hour are classified as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements.

The E scooter hire schemes currently being trialled are less powerful; however, they are not allowed on public footpaths. Various cities globally have started to ban or monitor them, as while a great initiative, they need to be ridden responsibly and not on footpaths. If these rules are followed, most people will be supportive. However, three times this week, while on Royal Parade, I have almost been hit by a scooter. The other thing is they are not insured if they hit you. We will be lobbying Council for stricter controls, and if you are a scooter rider reading this, please respect the rules and pedestrians.

Just a quick reminder to our returning students, lock your bicycles. Historically bicycles left on front porches of houses tend to be stolen, and sadly at the start of the year, thieves target new and unaware students.  Finally, we are still part of the lobby for extending the free tram zone to the University. We need to help all settle in and enjoy our beautiful city •