Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (20 November) . . Page.. 3861 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

transport options, they will hopefully feel more comfortable about making further changes over time.

The TravelSmart program in Perth found that people have no option but to use a car for 40 per cent of trips-for example, to travel long distances or to carry goods-and that 15 per cent of trips are already done without a car. This leaves 45 per cent of trips for which people could exercise some discretion about their mode of travel. In Perth some 80 per cent of these trips are currently undertaken by car, and it is believed possible to reduce this figure to 50 per cent using the TravelSmart approach.

The TravelSmart program initially covered 15,300 households, reduced car kilometres travelled by 14 per cent, increased public transport trips by 21 per cent, increased cycling trips by 91 per cent and increased walking trips by 16 per cent. These changes were still in place after a two-year period. The program has been judged to be very cost effective, and plans are under way to extend the program.

The Way To Go program covered only a small number of households in Woden but resulted in people driving 7 per cent fewer kilometres by car and using more alternative transport modes. The potential for further increases if the program is extended across Canberra is significant. This approach is quite exciting and should be regarded as complementary to other initiatives to increase the use of bicycles and buses. I am therefore happy to support this motion.

MR CORBELL (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations) (5.35): I would also like to thank Ms Dundas for her interest in this very important project. The Assembly should be aware that the Way to Go project is just one part of the government's sustainable transport plan agenda. The plan will provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of transport issues in the ACT and will develop strategies and programs to address these issues and to meet the government's economic, social and sustainability goals over the next 30 to 40 years.

A key goal of the transport plan is to encourage the development and use of public transport and other transport modes such as cycling and walking which my colleague Mr Wood has spoken a little about. The consultation process for the public transport study is being managed by Professor John Black, who has 30 years experience in land use, transport and environmental planning and has been at the forefront of sustainable transport in Australia and internationally over the last 10 years. Professor Black was in Canberra in mid-October to begin consultation for the study.

The Department of Urban Services is also preparing a specific investigation of the relative social and economic costs of public and private transport as an input to the sustainable transport plan. This analysis will examine overall transport costs and revenues and the relative contributions to these costs and revenues from private and public transport users. This study will assist the government to achieve an appropriate balance in investment in the transport sector and in particular to achieve an appropriate balance between investment in public and private transport systems. This is work the territory badly needs.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .