Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Ruthven Street Improvements Community Consultation. The consultation report has been finalised and presented to Council and can be viewed in the document library.

Overall, the consultation showed that the community held mixed sentiment for the concept design proposal. There was strong support for the Continuous Footpath Treatment (CFT) however other elements of the proposal, such as the introduction of angled parking met with far more limited support.

The consultation received 53 submissions.

• 62% were not in favour of the street upgrade proposal in general.
• 59% of respondents were not in favour of the angled parking component
• 33% of respondents were in favour of the angled parking component
• 41% of respondents were in favour of removing the existing rubber speed cushions
• 41% of respondents were opposed to removing the existing rubber speed cushions
• 18% indicated that they would prefer to see enhanced traffic calming devices at the location, including potential upgrades of the existing device
• 67% of respondents expressed support for the continuous footpath treatment at Birrell Street, further amplified by most of the email submissions

Key issues raised by the community included:

• Concerns increased parking would lead to increased congestion and vehicular traffic
• Concerns regarding decreased pedestrian and traffic safety
• Requests to address traffic calming and width reduction at the Oxford St intersection
• Concern regarding visibility constraints with proposed kerb island options
• Low support for additional plantings and landscaping
• Need for enhancement of current traffic calming infrastructure
• Mixed support for removal of existing speed humps with alternatives suggested

A report (see below for details) was presented by Council officers to the Finance, Operations and Community Services Committee on 4 March 2025, which included the consultation report as an attachment. The following resolutions were resolved by Council:

Council:

1. Notes that the speed limit in Ruthven Street, Bondi Junction, will be reduced to 40 km/h within the next four to six months, in accordance with the 40 km/h speed limit changes south of Bondi Road.

2. Notes the outcome of the review and consultation process, including an information package on parking across driveways/footpaths.

3. Approves the following traffic calming measure in Ruthven Street, as set out in the report: (a) The conversion of rubber speed cushions to concrete-based asphalt-embedded flat top speed humps.

4. Notifies the residents of Ruthven Street and the Mill Hill Precinct Committee of this resolution.

In regard to item 2, Council would like to take this opportunity to remind the community that Road Rule 198 in the NSW Road Rules 2014, prohibits drivers from obstructing access to and from a footpath and that parking on or across footpaths is illegal.

We will provide further updates regarding timelines for installation of new speed humps as resolved.

The ‘Ruthven Street, Bondi Junction - Traffic Calming - Consultation Outcomes’ report with accompanying consultation report is publicly available and can be reviewed here (refer to Item FC/5.4/25.03), and the relevant resolution by Council at the meeting is publicly available here (refer same Item FC/5.4/25.03).

Ruthven Street is a residential street situated in Bondi Junction which runs from Birrell Street to Oxford St. To meet community needs, Council is proposing to improve safety and traffic infrastructure, upgrade streetscape amenity, and provide additional parking in the area.

Following a petition by residents of Ruthven Street to remove the rubber speed humps and improve safety and traffic infrastructure on Ruthven Street, Council resolved to investigate and further explore design options that would achieve the following outcomes:

• Removal of the existing speed cushions
• Angle and perpendicular on-street parking where space permits
• Alternate parking through a gentle street chicane
• Updated supportive signage
• Planted kerb islands with street trees
• Continuous footpath treatment at Birrell Street

The proposed design in the consultation has considered and incorporated these design amendments where feasible.