We acknowledge the commitment that the Victorian government has given to improving public access to the Yarra Park area, including construction of the William Barak footbridge and upgrading the Jolimont and Richmond railway stations and the number 70 tram line through the precinct.

These improvements, together with the example of the very successful Commonwealth Games held in 2006 without any car-parking in Yarra Park, clearly demonstrate that car-parking in Yarra Park is no longer necessary or desirable.

The maintenance and development of Yarra Park as free and open parkland is vital to twenty-first century Melbourne and must be promoted and guarded for future generations of Victorians.

We therefore respectfully urge the Government of Victoria to acknowledge that parks are for people not cars, and in doing so bring to an end the practice of car-parking on the lawns of Yarra Park.