Page 3721 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 29 October 2014
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population as Canberra grows to a city of 500,000 people over the next 20 years and, as we have heard from Minister Corbell, 600,000 soon after. Business as usual is not a responsible choice.
This is not a new issue. As a responsive government, we have already acted by committing to the development and delivery of a number of significant policies. The ACT planning strategy was adopted in 2012 and recognises the drivers for change and the need for us as a community to respond accordingly. Transport for Canberra, also adopted in 2012, provides the foundation for transport planning in the ACT over the next 20 years by putting in place actions that will increase public transport and active travel mode share. One way to do this is by investing in significant public transport projects such as capital metro. The objectives addressed in the ACT planning strategy and transport for Canberra respond directly to the community’s vision for our future and the values expressed in Time to talk: Canberra 2030. Both the ACT planning strategy and transport for Canberra were developed after considerable research and analysis, and they reinforce our intention for a more compact, resilient and efficient city.
Canberrans value the benefits of living in a sustainable city that supports a prosperous economy. We have the opportunity to deliver a sustainable city as Canberrans are committed to protecting our city’s natural environment and securing the wellbeing of future generations. Some of these actions are immediate and urgent, to initiate change, whilst others will commence and develop over the next 20 or so years to build on our progress.
The ACT planning strategy calls for master plans to be undertaken, responding to place-specific needs for Canberra to be a city where everybody can take advantage of its network of centres, open spaces and modes of travel to enjoy a sense of wellbeing and participate in a vibrant civic and cultural life. In addition, I am pleased to advise that the master plan program, as it progresses, is responding to the emergent policy agenda of this government by seeking to implement the outcomes and recommendations of strategies and programs aimed at ensuring that investment in our urban areas meets the aspirations and needs of the community, both now and into the future. Each master plan sets out objectives and strategies to manage development and change in a particular area over time. They work within the context of what is important about the place and how to enhance its character and quality.
Community involvement is defining the scope and area for individual master plans, and that is important. The following parameters are often used to define the area of a master plan: creating a precinct that provides an easy 10 to 15-minute walk along the streets and paths to a centre or rapid transit corridor; the natural and recognisable boundaries set by the landscape character and topographical features; our cultural and natural heritage; the gazetted suburb and district boundaries; and land use policy areas.
Supporting more people walking, cycling and taking public transport can significantly reduce the demand for expensive road infrastructure and help manage traffic congestion. Walking, cycling and other forms of active transport are an easy way to increase daily physical activity and social exchange. As highlighted within successive state of Australian cities reporting by the commonwealth department of infrastructure and regional development, the ACT has one of the highest participation rates for
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