Page 3393 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 21 October 2014
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In conclusion, if we compare where we were in 2010 when we first released that report to where we are today, I think excellent progress has been made. But there is, of course, much more work to do. This is still a very car-dominated city. One of the areas I am concerned about is the level of antagonism between the various modes at the moment. We certainly have some more work to do to improve that level of cooperation and share the roads in an even better way.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Minister for Children and Young People and Minister for Ageing) (4.18): I thank my colleague Ms Berry for her commitment today to the future of our city and the best planning for it. Our city is facing the challenges of the 21st century posed by climate change, population growth and an emphasis on the utilisation of renewable energy sources. These are not new issues and this government has already acted by placing them at the forefront of the government’s policy agenda and developing contemporary and innovative, if not bold, solutions to these global issues at a local level.
Planning has a defining role in helping to shape Canberra as a healthy, safe, prosperous and sustainable city. Good urban planning can shape our neighbourhoods to encourage active recreation and the active travel options of walking, cycling and public transport. There is a growing recognition that the built environment influences levels of physical activity, whether for transport or recreation. Canberra already has one of the best walking and cycling path networks in Australia. As our city undergoes further development and urban renewal, the government is committed to embedding active living principles in its transport and urban planning process.
There is a growing body of research showing a connection between our health and wellbeing and the design and structure of our cities and regions. Research in this emerging field is now being undertaken by multiple sectors, including medical, health promotion, recreational studies, urban studies and planning, and transport planning research. The way the built environment is designed, planned and constructed can affect how physically active people will choose to be. For example, low-density suburbs with detached houses and very few community facilities, combined with the distance from public transport, reduce residents’ choices in relation to transport, and car use becomes the preferred option.
Making places more supportive of walking and cycling or using public transport requires street connectivity, mixed density and mixed land use. People walk more if they perceive streets are safe and aesthetically pleasing. Urban planning is identified as a focus area under the healthy weight action plan which my colleague Yvette Berry has already mentioned.
I would like to mention the key actions under the urban planning theme. They include incorporating active living principles into the territory plan codes and the Territory and Municipal Services standards for public realm design and development works; creating car parking and other incentives which encourage active travel—walk, cycle
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