The Melbourne Yarra Leader has a main story on the
Yarra Councils Bicycle Parking Amendment this week.

The comments from Brian Welch, Master Builders
Association are disappointing. A planned council
amendment such as this, is an incentive for better
urban planning at a time when the inner suburbs are
being progressively more car-choked and improved
transport opinions are required.

What do you think? Contact Yarra Council or the Master
Builders Association and let them know your views.
Also, please cc a copy of any correspondence to
YarraBUG, yarrabug-owner@yahoogroups.com

Yarra City Council
City of Yarra
333 Bridge Road
Richmond VIC 3121
Phone: 03 9205 5555 Fax: 03 9205 5081
Email: info@y...
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au

Master Builders Association
332 Albert Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Postal address:
GPO Box 544D, Melbourne, 3001
Ph: 03 9411 4555 Fax: 9411 4592
Email: slyons@m...
http://www.mbav.com.au

July 12, page 2 - Building a bicycle future.
Homeowners planning a big extension will have to
include bicycle storage space in their designs if
proposed changes to yarra's planning scheme go ahead.

A draft policy to boost bike use in yarra says
extensions increasing floor area by 30 per cent will
have to include secure and weather proof bicycle
storage space.

New residential, retail, commercial and industrial
developments would also have to provide a place for
riders to store their bikes.

Yarra's business would need to allow for one bike
space plus one for every 10 employees.

They would also have to provide showers and clothes
lockers based on the number of employees.

The Master Builders Association has slammed the
proposal as "profoundly disturbing".

"Councils are becoming too invasive. They should get
the hell out people's lives." said executive director
Brian Welch. He said the plan would increase costs and
restrict design possibilities.

"This is a social objective but the choice should be
left to the business owners or tenants. There should
be no law making it a requirement."

Bicycle Victoria praised Yarra for being "on the front
foot".

"It's not very onerous. Secure parking is not that
expensive," said Bicycle Victoria campaign manager
Bart Sbeghan.

Yarra Mayor Kay Meadows said the council did not want
to impose unnecessary costs on renovators. "it will be
interesting to get the community's feedback on this,
that's what these processes are for."

Yarra has a high level of bicycle use compared to
other municipalities.

It is the second most popular destination for bicycle
trips to work in the metropolitan area, after the City
of Melbourne.

On census day in winter 2001, nearly 6 per cent of
people in Yarra rode bicycles to work.

The Bicycle Facilities Local Policy, Amendment C71 to
the Yarra Planning Scheme, may be out for public
comment after a Yarra Council vote tomorrow.



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Yarra Bicycle Users Group
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Abbotsford, Alphington, Burnley, Carlton North,
Clifton Hill, Cremorne, Collingwood, Fairfield,
Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Princes Hill, Richmond
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yarrabug

YarraBUG meets 7.30pm,on the first Tuesday
of the month,at Ninos Restaurant,
359 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

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