Canberra needs a whole-of-government approach to transport planning that combines transport infrastructure, parking, cycling, walking, public transport and cars in a citywide strategy, a new ideas paper claims.
The ideas paper, A Sustainable Transport Plan, prepared by the Property Council of Australia, exposes the barriers to an integrated sustainable transport plan and proposes to create a strategy that is specific to Canberra. The paper calls for an integrated governmental approach, allowing transport initiatives to work hand-in-hand with other schemes, such as land use planning, and points to opportunities for private sector investment. It also proposes to make car parking more available, support for the introduction of paid parking in the Parliamentary Zone; and create better connections within the broader Canberra region.
“Property Council members invest directly in the infrastructure that underpins Canberra, and therefore play a vital role in sustaining the future growth and sustainability of our city. As such, we are keen to offer our expertise and to make a positive contribution to resolving this issue,” Property Council ACT executive director, Catherine Carter, said.
“Above all else, the Property Council supports the development of an integrated sustainable transport plan which is designed specifically for Canberra, and which meets community needs and expectations,” Carter said.
“As we have said previously, the decisions that are taken now will shape the Canberra of tomorrow.”
