Bold new plan the Subi Streets Project unveiled to transform streetscape in hopes of reducing car use

A new era for Subiaco’s streetscape is ready to take shape, with consultants engaged to look at if wider footpaths, better biking facilities and changes to street parking could make the area less car-centric. The Subi Streets Project will begin in January, with Santec Australia to be paid almost $380,000 to lead the review and research. City of Subiaco mayor David McMullen said Tuesday’s decision was an initial step to help shift the focus of local roads and look beyond their primary function of catering for cars. “The Subi Streets project is all about having a place and movement framework which flips around the presumption that every street should be all about cars,” Mr McMullen said. “Realistically, roads will of course still be the routes we take when we get in our cars, but Subiaco’s streets and laneways can be so much more than just that.” The first stage of the project is expected to take about a year, with consultants to study each street across Daglish, Jolimont, Shenton Park and Subiaco. “Each street will be carefully considered to understand how it moves cars, people and bikes/e-mobility (movement), and how they feel (place),” the report said. Based on the review, each street will then be categorised to help consider whether current designs align with their purpose. “For example, the flow of cars could be improved for streets which are designed for traffic purposes, while low-traffic streets can provide more space for community/people to enjoy and/or make more room to plant trees,” the report said. Some of these street design elements include changes to on-street parking and footpath widths, more trees and vegetation, more bicycle facilities and pedestrian crossings. “Now is the time to work out how to build on this into the future — to make hay while the sun shines — including a very deliberate look at precincts not limited to the usual pockets of the city,” Mr McMullen said. “We look forward to working closely with the community to develop a clear vision for the project and, ultimately, a framework that will provide consistency and vision across all our streets and laneways. “The success of Subi Streets, and everything that we hope will flow from it, will depend on the community coming along for the process.”