Page 2142 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 28 August 2007
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Today I present the report of the inquiry of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment into ACTION buses and the sustainable transport plan. The committee appreciates the importance of sustainable public transport, both for passengers and the environment. The committee inquiry was an important opportunity for various aspects of ACTION’s operations to be scrutinised and for reform suggestions to be put forward and addressed. This is not to say that most Canberrans are unhappy with ACTION’s services, although ACTION has its vocal critics.
The report cites evidence that customer satisfaction is generally at 71 per cent, satisfaction with drivers is very high at 88 per cent, and customer satisfaction with personal safety is 86 per cent. There is much less satisfaction with timetables, at 49 per cent, and the committee has responded to this by recommending that ACTION review the frequency of services as a matter of priority.
The committee has made 47 recommendations. Most of them concern planning for ACTION network 2008 and future services. They aim to improve ACTION’s economic efficiency and address access, equity and equality issues. Some recommendations address the provision of incentives for travel on public transport and disincentives for the use of private vehicles. The committee found that the sustainable transport plan was well regarded by several stakeholders with expertise in sustainable transport planning.
The committee considered constructive suggestions from others on how the implementation of the plan might be improved. In the committee’s view, promoting behavioural change and public awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of using ACTION buses are needed to ensure that the targets in the sustainable transport plan are met. This is addressed in the sections of the report dealing with the promotion of sustainable transport, marketing, and supply-side and demand-side incentives and disincentives.
Individual behavioural change and cultural change are needed across the generations and in homes and workplaces. The committee is of the view that Canberra should aspire to and become a national leader in sustainability. The vision for Canberra in the Canberra plan is as follows:
Canberra will be recognised throughout the world—not only as the beautiful city, uniquely designed in harmony with its environment, the seat of Australia’s government and the home of its pre-eminent national institutions, but also as a place that represents the best in Australian creativity, community living and sustainable development.
Sustainable transport is very much a part of sustainable, liveable cities. Around the world cities are committing their citizens to more sustainable development paths because of the pressing need to respond to climate change, biodiversity decline, and ecosystem degradation. Investment in and promotion of sustainable transport is a key way in which cities can become more sustainable. To progress towards our sustainability potential, the committee recommends that the Australian government review the statutory formula for fringe benefits tax concessions to remove the perverse incentive for increased kilometres of car travel.
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