Creating Transport Choices : Hume Integrated Land Use & Transport Strategy

Please add your comments to this online online discussion topic by telling us your thoughts on our Leadership and Parterships 'Strategic Policy Directions'.

Responsibilities for the management of land use, transport services and infrastructure are spread across all three levels of government. While Council has direct responsibilities for planning and management, in many cases (as with public transport and arterial roads) Council's role is limited to one of advocacy.  Council must work in collaboration with the various government agencies, developers and the community in order to ensure integrated transport and land use planning outcomes for Hume.

Please add your comments to this online online discussion topic by telling us your thoughts on our Land Use and Development 'Strategic Policy Directions'.

Transport and Land Use shape each other. Urban planning done strategically can open up opportunities to use viable alternatives to the private car and improve transport choice. Conversely, poor land use planning can reduce transport choice and, as a consequence, encourage greater car reliance. If housing and mixed use development are created around public transport nodes, and along high quality transport corridors (with fast, frequent and reliable services) it is likely that more people will be encouraged to use public transport, and allow more people to live with walking and cycling distance of these facilities. 

Please add your comments to this online online discussion topic by telling us your thoughts on our Walking and Cycling 'Strategic Policy Directions'.

Walking and Walking and cycling are often overlooked as means of transport but are the most efficient and emission-free form of transport due to their low cost, low impact, suitability for all ages and significant health benefits. Walking and cycling participation is largely dependent on a wide network of on-road and off-road bicycle paths and walking paths integrated with public transport and supported by educational and behaviour change programs. Transport hubs and significant destinations, such as central business districts and activity centres also offer an opportunity to provide end of trip facilities to encourage cycling.

Please add your comments to this online online discussion topic by telling us your thoughts on our Public Transport 'Strategic Policy Directions'.

Planning for new infrastructure should be integrated into corridor and regional land use strategies to ensure that mixed use, accessible centres are be clustered along key strategic transport corridors within urban areas. High quality public transport provides the sort of 'go anywhere anytime' convenience that attracts people to cars. It requires a fully-integrated, network with high frequency reliable services, short waiting times and easy transfers.

Please add your comments to this online online discussion topic by telling us your thoughts on our Road Network and Freight 'Strategic Policy Directions'.

Road space is a limited resource, and requires effective management to meet competing demands and provide access for vehicles, freight, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport services. Maintaining vehicle access in the form of customer parking or commercial deliveries is vital for the prosperity of many local businesses, and promoting access by walking, cycling and public transport is vital to reducing local congestion. The freight and logistics sector remains a significant employer in Hume and Freight movements are critical to the local and state economies. The road network needs to be managed efficiently to protect the freight task, and coordinated with land use planning to ensure appropriate buffering to preserve neighbourhood amenity.

Please add your comments to this online online discussion topic by telling us your thoughts on our Education and Marketing 'Strategic Policy Directions'.

Education and marketing plays a major role in encouraging individuals to make a voluntary travel behaviour change and to assist the business and community to develop innovative transport responses that address concerns about the environment, health, climate change, peak oil and car dependence. Information needs to be provided to people about the travel options available to them, and supported by opportunities and incentives to try alternatives.  These incentives can include providing road space priority for cars that carry multiple occupants (carpooling) or parking priority for cars that are part of a car sharing program, or by encouraging Green Travel Plans for schools, businesses and activity centres.