Pring Street, Tarragindi Resident Traffic Survey

Dear Resident,

I was deeply distressed to learn of the tragic fatality that occurred on Pring Street on Friday, 21 November. I understand that a full Police investigation is currently underway to establish the circumstances of the incident. In the meantime, I acknowledge that this event has again brought community concerns about through-traffic speeds on Pring Street to the forefront.

Some of our local residents have lived in this area for many decades, while many others have only recently joined our wonderful community. With this in mind, I have provided an overview of the long and complex history of traffic-calming efforts within this precinct over the page.

Given the renewed concerns and changing community expectations, and the recognition that the predominate problem in the precinct is poor driver behaviour, I am eager to understand which possible solutions current residents of Pring St believe will may make a difference. In addition, there will be a traffic count, that also measures speed, undertaken in the new year (outside of the school holiday period). Please complete the survey below so I can pass on the suggestions to Traffic Transport planners.

From aerial photos of this area, it appears the barriers along Andrew Ave were installed in te early to mid 1990s. Bramston St was always closed at Fernvale Rd and the Toohey Rd end seems to have been closed around the same time as the barriers were installed.

Before Tarragindi became part of the Holland Park Ward in 2016, then-Councillor Mark Bailey and Councillor Steve Griffiths represented the area. In the early 2000’s and again in June 2013, these Councillors undertook precinct-wide consultation to make changes in Pring St which both eventuated in no changes.

After I was elected as the new Councillor for Tarragindi, I received repeated representations from residents about ongoing traffic concerns. In response, I requested that Council’s traffic officers once again review the precinct. Traffic and pedestrian counters were subsequently installed at key intersections, and their findings informed several upgrades across the area.

In late 2017, Council completed a comprehensive intersection upgrade at Pring and Windmill Streets aimed at reducing vehicle speeds around the corners, improving pedestrian safety, and enhancing the shopping precinct for local businesses and customers. New parking restrictions were also introduced at the eastern end of Prior Street following direct consultation with affected residents. In addition, Council developed a proposal for a roundabout at Pring Street and Andrew Avenue.

Although some residents continued to request a full barrier on Andrew Avenue at Pring Street, analysis showed that such a barrier would not benefit the broader precinct. It would, in fact, severely limit access to Toohey Road for residents living between Andrew Avenue and Fernvale Road. The proposed roundabout, designed to Australian Traffic Standards, would not eliminate traffic but would significantly slow vehicles approaching from every direction. All motorists would be required to give way to the right, producing a safer and more balanced outcome than the current stop-sign arrangement, which slows only Pring Street traffic while allowing Andrew Avenue vehicles to continue with right of way. The 2017 traffic counts also identified high pedestrian activity at all corners of the intersection, leading to the inclusion of pedestrian refuges on all splitter islands to further improve safety and traffic calming.

In February 2018, I announced that this roundabout would proceed. However, a petition initiated by local residents—signed by 69 individuals from Pring and Windmill Streets—expressed opposition to the proposal. As a result, construction did not go ahead.