Greener, cheaper, better Yes we can! Janet Rice Executive Officer, Sustainable Melbourne Alliance for Transport and Urbanism Former Councillor and Mayor, City of Maribyrnong Former Chair, Metropolitan Transport Forum Convenor, Greens Transport and Planning working Group

The reality check. 1.Land is expensive, and will remain expensive. So to be affordable, homes need to take up less land. 2.Climate change & peak oil are real. We need to aim for zero carbon emissions 3.We can’t meet carbon reductions & the challenges of expensive oil by everyone shifting to renewably powered electric cars – expensive, inefficient & inequitable.

This is half a train carriage…

So what does our transport and planning need to deliver? Meet the community’s needs for travel Zero carbon emissions Accessible for all Economically efficient Healthy – low emissions & more physical activity Safe, clean and high amenity Encourage and support community interactions

This means we need… fewer trips overall better public transport: more trips by pt Streets for people: more trips by bike and walking vibrant compact activity centres less parking & more expensive parking tax reform better use of each car trip remaining motorised trips to be zero carbon

Good News!

Parking in suburban Amsterdam: 2 Euro/ hour Residential parking permit: 51 Euro for 3 months that’s $A340 a year

More Good News!

The shift to public transport is happening

And vehicle kilometres are dropping % change in vehicle km compared to population

So how to accelerate these trends? Political will

Stop subsidising urban sprawl

Use extra revenue for social housing & rent assistance - commit to 20% affordable housing

Quality public transport as development occurs 1.Trains every two minutes on every track through the city centre 2.Trains to UGB, and new tram services 3.Minimum 10 minute frequency connecting activity centres 4.Suburban bus services every 15 minutes, 7 days a week

No expansion of the urban growth boundary Commitment to Melbourne’s development as a more compact, poly-centric city

No big new roads Not needed waste of money that could be spent on more sustainable equitable purposes

Local jobs: Government to lead the way

Open space, community gardens, community facilities

Planning controls and regulations to deliver high quality, energy efficient development

Integrate mobility management into all transport planning and delivery So that the sensible, logical,rational choice for people is to not drive most of the time If it’s cheap and easy to drive people will!

Governance is critical Need an independent, transparent, accountable agency to manage public transport services and networks

Community engagement processes are critical to build understanding and support

Can we fix it? Yes we can!