[Peakoil-announce] ACT Greens release light rail discussion paper

[Alex Pollard]

A welcome contribution from the ACT Greens:

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http://act.greens.org.au/content/greens-push-long-term-gungahlin-transport-solutions

On a day when the Legislative Assembly will debate three motions from
three parties regarding proposed transport solutions for Gungahlin, the
ACT Greens transport spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan MLA, released a
discussion paper – A Better Transport Solution for Gungahlin and Wider
Canberra.

The paper argues for a greater commitment to sustainable transport and
critically analyses the Government’s approach to transport planning.

“The ACT Greens want to see real transport solutions – solutions that will
create convenient, sustainable and equitable ways to get around Canberra,”
Ms Bresnan said.

“We are arguing for investment in and prioritisation of a rapid, high
capacity public transport network. This is the long term solution for
bringing convenient, effective and sustainable transport to North
Canberra.

“It is troubling that the Government’s arguments for building the Majura
freeway are not standing up to scrutiny. The Government hasn’t assessed
issues such as the benefits that quality public transport would have
compared to a freeway. Nor has it properly assessed future traffic
congestion on the road, the greenhouse gas emissions it will generate, or
the impacts on Canberra’s urban form.”

Dr Paul Mees, one of Australia's leading experts on urban public
transport, backed the Greens paper, saying: “At a time when other
Australian capitals are giving priority to public transport, Canberra's
planners seem trapped in a 1950s mindset. Canberra should be a model of
what's good in urban planning. A first-rate public transport system would
cost less, and create greater travel time savings, than the proposed
parkway --- and that's before we even consider the environmental
benefits.”

“We’ve called on the Government to have an independent expert in
sustainable transport planning analyse these issues before we commit so
much of the ACT’s transport funding to this motorway.”

“In Australia, and around the world, the lesson to learn from the evidence
presented by planning experts is that good public transport is the best
way to tackle congestion,” Ms Bresnan said.

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Alex Pollard
O4O4873828

Vice-President
ACT Peak Oil Inc.