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International Transport Research Repository launched: World Transit Research

July 19th 2010

World Transit Research (WTR) is designed to help public transport practitioners and researchers get easier access to quality research in the field of public transport planning.

WTR is a free repository of research papers, reports, research abstracts and links to research findings from leading research journals indexed and searchable to ensure easier access to topics of interest. WTR also allows web site users the opportunity to join an eNewsletter list by providing their email address.

The site is developed and run by the Public Transport Research Group at the Institute of Transport Studies, Monash University. The same group also runs the Social Research in Transport (SORT) Clearinghouse website.

How to Build a Business Case for Sustainability: Four Tips on Getting Buy-In from Finance

May 6th 2010

This article by David Bent, Head of Business Strategies of Forum for the Future, provides some excellent insights and advice into demonstrating a business case for sustainability projects within organisations and businesses.

This information is particularly useful for local government in developing internal projects, encouraging action in businesses and in sourcing funding from the Victorian and Australian Governments.

The article, entitled 'How to Build a Business Case for Sustainability: Four Tips on Getting Buy-In from Finance' was published on 23 November 2009 and can be accessed via the GreenBiz.com website.

pt4me2 Website and Transport Surveys now live

February 18th 2010

The pt4me2 website has been launched. pt4me2, which stands for 'Public Transport for me too', is a communication tool for the community to have a say about public transport in Melbourne.

The website hosts a number of surveys for the public to provide in-depth information on Melbourne's public transport, including a Train users' survey, Bus users' survey, Tram users' survey and the What's best and worst about public transport survey.

Minister Pallas' 15 Transport Principals presentation now online

January 19th 2010

A summary of the presentation by the Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas on the 15 Transport Principals underlying the Victorian Government's Transport Plan is now available for download from the Thinking Transport Library.

This presentation provides an excellent overview of both the Victorian Transport Plan 2009 and the motivations driving it.

Link & Place planning study now available online

January 14th 2010

A new report on urban transport design has been released by University College London and is now available in the Thinking Transport library.

Developed by Professor Peter Jones, 'Link and Place - A Guide to Street Planning and Design' advocates an alternative approach to street planning and design based on streets as movement conduits (Links) and destinations in their own right (Places).

Get your free myki now until 31 January

January 5th 2010

myki now valid on Melbourne metropolitan trains

myki is now in use on trains in metropolitan Melbourne and on many regional town bus services. Tram, metropolitan bus and V/Line services beyond Zone 2 will follow in 2010. myki is Victoria's new public transport ticketing system.

Until the 31 January 2010, you can register online to receive your FREE myki.  This will save you $10 for a full fare and $7 for a concession, seniors or child.  For more information and to register to receive your free myki, visit the myki website.

Ports and Environs Advisory Committee appointed

December 21st 2009

The Minister for Planning has established an Advisory Committee to review the planning controls for the ports of Melbourne, Geelong, Portland and Hastings.  The ports that are included in the review are the Ports of Melbourne, Geelong, Hastings and Portland. The Committee's main task is to assist the Government in improving planning and buffer protection for ports; in particular, to provide recommendations about how ports can be protected from encroachment by sensitive uses.

The Committee will release a discussion paper within six months and a final report is to be submitted to the Minister of Planning by end of August 2010. For more information, visit the DPCD website.

COAG: States required to have capital city strategic plans in place by 2012

December 17th 2009

At the December Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Brisbane, agreement was reached that, by 1 January 2012, all states will have in place plans that meet new national criteria.  The criteria will ensure our cities have strong, transparent and long-term plans in place to manage population and economic growth; and plans which will address climate change, improve housing affordability and tackle urban congestion.   The COAG also noted that the Commonwealth will link future infrastructure funding decisions to meeting these criteria.

The COAG Reform Council will independently review the consistency of capital city strategic planning systems against the new criteria during 2010 and 2011. A jointly appointed expert advisory panel will be established to support the COAG Reform Council.  For more information, download the COAG communique (refer to section 4 and Appendix B) or visit the COAG site here.

Thinking Transport hosts Healthy by Design case studies

December 16th 2009

Planners play an essential role in planning, designing and regulating the environments in which we live.  Well-planned neighbourhoods can increase the number of people who choose walking or cycling as their mode of transport.  More people walking or cycling to shops, schools and local facilities helps to build more socially vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods, together with the associated economic and environmental benefits.

The Healthy by Design resource, produced by the Heart Foundation (Victorian Division) aims to provide practical guidance to planners, especially those working for or with local governments, to enable them to plan for active communities.

Visit the Planning for Active Communities page to see how local governments from across Victoria have used the Healthy by Design principles.

Comments invited: Code of Practice for Worksite Safety - Traffic Management

December 1st 2009

The Road Management Act 2004 provides for Codes of Practice to be made to support the Act and provide practical guidance for road management by road authorities and the conduct of work within road reserves by works managers, infrastructure managers and providers of public transport.

One such Code was the Code of Practice for the Worksite Safety - Traffic Management.  This Code has been recently reviewed by VicRoads and key stakeholder groups and a revised "Working Draft" has been prepared as the basis for consultation and comment.  A copy of the Code is available from the VicRoads website here.

Comments are now being sought on the "Working Draft", with submissions due by Friday 18 December 2009.  To find out how to make a submission, visit the VicRoads website here.

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