Launcestonians have the opportunity to envision what their future of commuting will look like, as the council releases its draft strategy aiming to encourage more active and public transport commuting modes.
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The Draft Launceston Transport Strategy 2020-2040 looks to connect people to their destination through diverse transport choices to create a more liveable, healthy and connected city.
The community will have the opportunity to have its say, after the City of Launceston council endorsed the draft for four weeks of public consultation on Thursday.
Deputy mayor Danny Gibson said lots of stakeholder consultation had been undertaken to get the draft strategy finalised, but it was the community's opportunity now to share their thoughts.
"There is always mixed views with regard to transport, there's always mixed views with regard to future visioning but I think importantly this sets a bold vision for our city," he said.
"It's not a vision for this year, it's a vision for the next 15-20 years and the opportunity to create the city of the future."
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The strategy wants to increase active and public transport uptakes, reduce casualties on the road and ensure a 15-minute access to centres, education and health facilities through short, medium and long-term initiatives.
Cr Hugh McKenzie reiterated Cr Gibson and said it had already undergone lots of industry consultation but it was time for the community to take hold of and put their input in.
He said he thought the statistics said a lot, with 76 per cent of participants indicating that they use their car everyday to get around.
"Seventy-two per cent have never been on a bus or rarely use a bus," he said.
"Forty-two per cent [do not participate] or have never ridden a bike. So there's a lot of information in there and I think the city of tomorrow or in 10 or 15 years needs to change.
"Do we keep building roads to put more cars on it or do we look at other alternative modes of transport."
The strategy hopes to improve active and public transport options through initiatives such as:
- promoting pedestrian movements and active and public transport modes, developing frameworks for schools and businesses to establish, monitor and implement travel plans, developing a central activities district parking plan to promote active and public transport, promoting and facilitating zero-emission vehicle uptake, exploring innovative transport options
- improving cycling education and working towards zero road casualties
- optimising transport networks and services, ensuring adequate infrastructure is in place, increasing park-and ride uptake
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