Time line on the car share debate

November 6, 2015

Here is a timeline of the car share debate which took place at City of Melbourne in mid-2015.

Thursday, July 9
Consultant report and officer recommendations first made public when agenda for July 14 Future Melbourne Committee released online.

Tuesday, July 14
Lengthy committee debate which included strong opposition from the three car share companies and resulted in a modest change to the officer recommendation and an 8-1 vote in favour, with Cr Mayne voting against. However, it would be full council on July 28 where the final decision would be made. More than 30 submissions received opposing the proposed plan.

Thursday, July 16
Herald Sun published a front page story quoting Lord Mayor Robert Doyle talking about banning bikes in certain city streets.

Friday, July 17
Sydney-based Fifth Estate journalist Cameron Jewell listens to full audio recording of committee debate and publishes this story head-lined "Is Melbourne going to kill car share?" After reading the Fifth Estate account and Lord Mayor's unusual proposal to ban bikes from certain city streets, wrote this story for Crikey on the car share debate.

Monday, July 20
The Urbanist, aka Alan Davies, blogs for Crikey on the question: "Should car share users pay for parking?"

Tuesday, July 21
Crikey publishes response from Cr Richard Foster. Councillors discuss bike share policy with officers at weekly councillor forum and again at the subsequent councillor only meeting. No meaningful changes proposed at this stage.

Wednesday, July 22
Car share policy discussed with officers at second "all things parking" meeting jointly convened by Crs Oke and Mayne who have resolved to try and take a whole of council view on parking. After this meeting, Stephen Mayne lodged alternative motion for bike share policy and distributes to fellow councillors.

Thursday, July 23
Agenda for council meeting released as alternative motion on car share made public.

Sunday, July 26
The Sunday Age publishes detailed news report on car share debate.

Monday, July 27
Herald Sun produces page 1 story quoting RACV's desire to reduce on-street parking to maximise through traffic, including bike lanes.

Tuesday, July 28
After more than 150 submissions opposing committee recommendation, meaningful amendments made to final car share policy which was approved 9-1 with Cr Mayne voting against, citing concerns about the 1-for-1 requirement for off-streets and on-street pods.

Wednesday, July 29
Submissions, minutes and audio of July 28 meeting all published online.

Thursday, July 30
Fifth Estate listens to audio and produces this piece summarising the situation, whilst Herald Sun wonders off on a confidentiality tangent, encouraged by the Lord Mayor, who repeats his concerns about confidentiality when interviewed by Neil Mitchell on 3AW.

August 2015
Southbank News splashes with this story about impact of car share policy changes on Southbank.

September 2015
Story in The Age raising question of Uber vs taxi reservations in Melbourne CBD.