City’s vision for the future of transport

AS our population continues to grow and Ballarat steps further towards being Victoria’s regional hub, the municipality’s internal and regional transport system is set to following in suit.

During August’s City of Ballarat council meeting, councillors adopted the 2020 Ballarat Integrated Transport Action Plan to address this advancement.

The plan was devised to improve transport systems and increase accessibility and is a core component of the city’s broader Today, Tomorrow, Together strategy which aims to achieve a greener and more connected Ballarat in 2040.

The transport plan specifically puts forward options for the city to develop roads, footpaths, bike infrastructure and railways with to increase resident’s accessibility.

The document also acknowledges the State government’s role in improving the city’s public transport and regional connectivity and seeks to establish a financial partnership between the two tiers to enact the changes.

At the council meeting, deputy-mayor Cr Belinda Coates said the integrated plan had been well received by the community.

“It opens up opportunities to pilot new ways of doing things, whether that is having a really good look at trams, trackless trams or autonomous vehicles,” she said.

The plan also touches on the possible exploration of alternative transport methods including e-scooters, car and bike sharing initiatives and hydrogen and electric fuel cell vehicles in a bid to embrace innovation and new technology.

Cr Samantha McIntosh said beyond trialling new methods of travel, Ballarat needs a transport strategy that focuses on better connecting us internally and statewide.

“Our integrated transport strategy must recognise the connection to our regional communities to ensure our roads are connected and can take us around the area, state and country,” she said.

“Broader communities rely on Ballarat as a regional capital but we can only be a regional capital if we understand the full requirements of an integrated transport strategy.

“We will be working very closely with our community on that strategy and further with the State government on a broader approach.”

Cr McIntosh said the city will continue to further refine the transport plan to enable the city and its residents enable simple and preferred travelling methods.

“There’s still more feedback that we’re looking for, for various parts of the plan such as the aviation component which is awaiting further community consultation and feedback,” she said.

“Our community needs to know that our integrated transport strategy connects us at each point and we need to have that broader strategic vision to succeed in improving our regional accessibility.

“Right now, it’s a wonderful plan but there is always more that we can do.”

To view the Integrated Transport Plan, visit ballarat.vic.gov.au.