Green light for Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy

Thursday 03 May 2012

The City of Greater Bendigo Council has given the green light to develop a clear, long-term, effective and sustainable vision for Bendigo’s transport network.

Mayor Cr Alec Sandner said the City would contribute $150,000 towards the Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy with the State Government to provide additional support.

“Through projects such as this, Council is planning for the future development of Bendigo and the surrounding region, its people, economy and the environment,” Cr Sandner said.

He said sustained population growth in recent years meant Greater Bendigo now enjoyed the benefits of a diverse economy, improved services and better job and education opportunities.

However, growth was not without its challenges and the pressure applied by increased freight and people movements has the potential to impact on the city’s liveability.

“Council is responding by taking a holistic approach to transport and land use rather than seeing improved road infrastructure for private cars and trucks as the only solution,” Cr Sandner said.

“A partnership approach involving the community, City and the State Government will be vital in ensuring this project’s success. Ultimately, the degree to which we can avoid having congestion and widening more roads will be governed by the degree of change our community is prepared to adopt.”

As a precursor to the Strategy, Council staff developed an Integrated Transport Research Paper which examined how other jurisdictions had responded to their transport pressures and the role of communities and local government in enacting change.

Types of initiatives being used elsewhere include establishing community bus systems, building bicycle lanes and, in some cases, ‘cycle freeways’, promoting development along key transport corridors and around activity centres, creating pedestrian friendly streets and giving priority to inner city development.

People wanting input into the development of the Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy can contact the City’s Strategy Unit at transportplanning@bendigo.vic.gov.au or by phoning 5434 6000.

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Updated: 9:45 AM, 3 May 2012