Stonnington Council has endorsed a suite of road safety improvements across the municipality, following significant community consultation and a successful application for $2.2 million in State Government funding.
The Road Safety Improvement Program includes:
- The introduction of new 40km/h speed zones across parts of Armadale, Malvern and Malvern East
- Investment in new raised pedestrian crossings and safety infrastructure
- Two new local bike routes with targeted traffic calming
- A carefully monitored 18-month trial of 30km/h speed limits in select school zones, bike routes and Council-managed sections of Chapel Street
These initiatives aim to reduce road trauma, improve safety for all vulnerable road users (older people, children, people riding bikes and anyone living with a disability), and encourage more people to walk and ride locally.
Mayor of Stonnington Cr Melina Sehr said the decision reflects a balanced and evidence-based approach:
"Our community told us they want safer streets, especially near schools, shopping precincts and places where people walk or ride. These changes will make our streets safer, more liveable, and more inclusive – particularly for children, older residents and people with mobility challenges.
"The 30km/h speed zones are trials only. They will be independently monitored over 18 months so we can measure how they're working and hear what the community thinks. If they don't deliver meaningful benefits, Council can reassess."
The trial 30km/h speed limit zones include:
- Chapel Street (Toorak Rd to Dandenong Rd)
- Hornby Street, Windsor (Windsor Primary School)
- Northcote Road and Densham Road, Armadale (Armadale Primary School)
- Canterbury Road, Brookville Road and Fairbairn Road, Toorak (Toorak Primary School)
- Greville Street (Punt Rd to Charles St) and Charles Street (Commercial Rd to Greville St)
- Bendigo Street (Malvern Rd to High St)
- Murray Street, Wrights Terrace and Spring Street (Bendigo St to Chatsworth Rd)
- Chatsworth Road (Malvern Rd to High St)
- Chomley Street and Closeburn Avenue (High St to Dandenong Rd)
- Cromwell Road and Surrey Road (Toorak Rd to Malvern Rd)
Mayor Sehr said the program had been shaped by community input – and funding was contingent on Council delivering the projects in full by March 2026.
"We listened to feedback and adjusted – not every proposed trial is going ahead. But we also have a responsibility to act on what the data tells us: slower speeds save lives. This is about protecting people while testing new ways to make our city safer."
The program is fully funded by the State Government, meaning no cost to ratepayers. Community members in the trial areas will be kept informed and invited to share feedback throughout the evaluation period.
