This week's release of the Moving Australia 2030 report calls for unified action across states, starting in Canberra
March 13, 2013
A Taskforce made up of national organisations has called for the Federal Government to take a leading role in transport infrastructure, planning and pricing following the release of the Moving Australia 2030 in Canberra on Wednesday.
According to Bus Industry Confederation Executive Director Michael Apps, Australia’s capital cities, major cities and regions are developing in a way that is ad hoc, unsustainable and risks future quality of life and prosperity.
“The current Government through Minister Albanese has made a good start by initiating federal government investment in public transport infrastructure, our cities and moving people,” Apps says.
“The Taskforce is commending this report to all major political parties to assist in the development of transport policies and programs in the two decades to 2030.”
Apps says access to jobs, services and low cost forms of transport are crucial challenges for the residents of the outer metropolitan areas of our cities.
“That is why we are calling for the establishment of a Federal Government portfolio to work with COAG, state and local governments to ensure someone is at the helm at a national level,” says Apps.
The report states that to maintain a high standard of living in 2030, Australians will have to make almost a third of all trips by walking, cycling, buses and trains.
Tourism and Transport Forum Acting Chief Executive Officer Trent Zimmerman says by 2030 the transport network will be the backbone of economic prosperity, not a drain on the economy and environment.
The report, Moving Australia 2030: A Transport Plan for a Productive and Active Australia will be launched by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese in Canberra this week.
Key recommendations from the report include appointing a dedicated Commonwealth Minister to integrate land use planning and transport at a national level, oversee the implementation of Capital Cities Planning criteria agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments, and oversee the delivery of an expanded Liveable Cities program.
The report also advocates reducing congestion in Australian cities through staggering school hours, increasing the span of operating hours and frequency of public transport services, providing flexible work hours for all government employees, and conducting congestion charging trials in capital and major cities.
The Moving People 2030 Taskforce Membership is made up of representatives from the Australian Local Government Association, Australasian Railway Association, Bus Industry Confederation, Cycling Promotion Fund, National Heart Foundation of Australia, International Association of Public Transport Australia and New Zealand, Planning Institute of Australia, and Tourism and Transport Forum.