More smoke-free zones proposed

More smoke-free zones proposed

The smoke-free zone proposals are coming thick and fast now, with the City of Melbourne last month proposing the QV shopping precinct and City Square.

Early in the month, the council proposed the City Square be added to the already-declared The Causeway, Howey Place, Equitable Place and Block Place as permanently smoke-free zones.

Then on May 21, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle proposed QV Melbourne be added to the list – the largest area so far proposed by the council.

Cr Doyle said a smoking ban in QV Melbourne would benefit the large volume and mix of people who used or passed through the precinct every day. QV Melbourne spans an entire city block between Swanston and Russell streets and Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets.

“QV Melbourne is a hive of activity and is home to shops, cafes and restaurants, large corporate businesses, a supermarket, a gym and residential apartments, all connected by a network of pedestrian laneways leading to an open central square,” the Lord Mayor said.

Cr Richard Foster said the recent public response to bans in three busy city laneways was a strong indication that the public was largely in favour of more smoke-free areas across the city.

“We ran a thorough consultation over several months in Howey Place, Equitable Place and Block Place and an average of 85 per cent of the people and businesses told us they were in favour of smoking bans,” Cr Foster said.

“Earlier this month, we also announced a consultation to make the iconic City Square a smoke-free area. We urge anyone who would be impacted by the introduction of smoking bans in these areas to let us know what they think.”

Interested people can have their say about making QV Melbourne smoke-free until June 18.

The City Square consultation closed on May 29.

Visit the City of Melbourne’s online engagement hub Participate Melbourne at participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au

Following consultation, a recommendation will be made to Council.

Since Labor has been in power …

Since Labor has been in power …

March 20th, 2024 - Evan Mulholland
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