Page 2937 - Week 09 - Thursday, 18 September 2014
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MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Dr Bourke for his interest in the vision for transport over our next 20 years. The transport for Canberra plan does set out that vision for transport planning to manage and respond to the city’s growth. The transport for Canberra plan outlines the government’s actions on public transport, parking, vehicle movement and active travel—that is, walking and cycling—to achieve the government’s transport mode share targets through a range of key projects and policy development.
The plan continues to work upon the strong sustainable transport goals of this government. The goals of transport for Canberra are a transport system that is integrated with land use planning; makes active travel the easy way to get around; provides sustainable travel options and reduces transport emissions; is a safe mode for moving people, however they get around; is accessible for everybody, whatever their mobility; and is efficient and cost-effective, providing value for money for the government, business and the community by managing travel demand across the whole transport system.
The report highlighted the ACT government’s commitment to expanding the accessible options for active travel. Active travel can be described through its methods of walking, cycling and other active alternatives. These are low cost and environmentally friendly while making minimal demand on natural or economic resources. These activities consume no fossil fuels, take up less space and impose little impact on other users.
The ACT transport report card, which was released on Tuesday, 16 September, tracks progress in delivering transport for Canberra and provides an update on its actions. The ACT transport report card shows that there has been significant progress in all aspects of transport for Canberra. Highlights of our achievements in transport since 2012 include over $100 million invested in new public and active transport since 2011-12, including additional buses, busways, light rail planning, bus stations, stops, park-and-ride, real-time passenger information, the city cycle loop, paths, lighting and intersection upgrades; Majura parkway, which is under construction; and capital metro light rail stage 1, in progress. And the light rail master plan is investigating the next stages of the light rail network.
There are the highest cycling participation rates in Australia, and there are also more people choosing sustainable transport in Canberra. We have also instigated the parking coordinator-general. He has been appointed, and policy development is being programmed on parking pricing, offsets, supply and operations. And of course the freight and low emissions vehicle strategies are being released for public input.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, could you tell us more about how the government measures the effectiveness of the transport for Canberra plan?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes, the report card shows that the government has either achieved or is on track to achieve its objectives for integration with land use planning,
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