Ballarat needs a Sustainable Transport Strategy to guide transport related decision-making in our growing city. This Preliminary Strategy brings together for the first time the range of existing transport policies and strategies adopted for Ballarat, and makes sense of them as part of an integrated transport picture : it sets the future direction for Council’s transport planning and provision.
The Strategy is proposed to be guided by 7 Key Principles
- People first approach to priority
- User friendly streets and movement grid
- A better public transport system
- Improve integration of land use and transport to deliver wide-ranging community benefits
- Consider economic value when prioritising network efficiency
- Promote cultural change towards more sustainable transport choices
- Embrace technology and innovation as an enabler of better transport choice and accessibility
What is an Integrated Transport Vision for Ballarat?
This Sustainable Transport Strategy (STS) seeks to bring together the range of existing transport policies and strategies adopted for Ballarat, and make sense of them as part of an integrated transport picture. Ballarat needs a strategic approach to effectively manage increased demand for travel associated with a growing population. The projected increased cost of fuel also mean that driving will become less convenient for many trips and the community will be looking for alternative options. A sustainable transport system for Ballarat is fundamentally about giving the community alternative convenient options regarding how they move, considering their personal needs and circumstances.
Why Does Ballarat need a Sustainable Transport System?
A significant number of responses from Ballarat Imagine related to transport. More specifically, ideas for improved transport was the second most nominated element.
- Easier local living as part of a ’10 Minute City’
- Improved health and wellbeing
- Increased prosperity
- Transport efficiency
- Safer travel
- Lower emissions and energy use from transport
Key concepts for sustainable transport are then outlined as Case Studies of how they could work in Ballarat. They are not fully developed ideas, but are rather intended to generate discussion and debate about the best way forward.
Case Studies of key Sustainable Transport initiatives in Ballarat include:
- A user focussed Ballarat Bicycle Network
- Introduction of Ballarat Bike Share
- High Frequency Public Transport Network
- Initiatives to support the CBD as a ‘place for people’
- Introduction of a Neighbourhood Links Program to better link residents with local schools and key local destinations
- How education and training could contribute to reducing barriers and improving safety
- New approach to monitoring change in the city to measure success
