Page 2911 - Week 13 - Thursday, 23 November 1989
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those difficulties: a number of roads are approaching capacity during peak hours; some residential roads are becoming inappropriate traffic bypass routes; some areas are experiencing noise and air pollution generated by traffic; the provision of parking is becoming more expensive and difficult; some residential areas are experiencing considerable commuter parking; bus facilities, and in particular the Civic bus interchange, are approaching capacity; through traffic is making Civic a difficult destination and is splitting its development.
While all this is particularly true for Civic, it applies to other areas in some degree and will apply even more so in the future. The ACT Government has in its first year already committed some $30m to roads expenditure. This is clear evidence of its commitment to improving access. Indeed, some $14m of this is directly related to gaining access to Civic. But the time is now right to evaluate the transport directions of Canberra. The community cannot afford, and the environment cannot stand, a rapid growth in roads investment. Canberra relies heavily on the car, but the strategy aims to reduce this reliance.
The Government has put a number of transport propositions to the ACT community. These propositions present an integrated approach to the issues. The strategy covers planning issues, capital formation, operational matters and financial incentives. Over the coming weeks the Government will be talking to a wide range of groups concerning the overall strategy. Consultation on particular issues will continue to occur for the life of the Government.
Sound transport strategy is a central planning issue. Transport strategy can only be sensible in supporting planning objectives, but, equally, planning principles can only be realised on the basis of a sensible and flexible transport strategy. What is an appropriate city or town centre size is usually not a question of numbers of people, but rather the ease of access to such centres and the impact on surrounding centres.
This transport policy will change the terms of that planning debate by improving access and amenity in and near city and town centres in Canberra. However, the Government will promote employment opportunities outside the Civic area to attract development to other town centres. Part of this involves ensuring developers and leaseholders contribute to transport costs so that investment decisions include some recognition of their cost to the community.
It is important to note that such a policy will not substantially reduce the transport task. It will provide a wider range of local employment opportunities. However, it is also true that dispersed development will improve the efficiency of our transport system. Roads can be better used in both directions in morning and evening peaks. Buses can have passengers in two directions rather than being nearly empty on half of a round trip. Such planning
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