The role of local government
Local governments have a long established role in the provision, management and maintenance of a certain amount of transport infrastructure, as follows:
- Local roads
- Roadside management
- Parking
- Road safety works
- Footpaths
- Provision for taxi ranks and bus stops
- Bicycle network
- Access for all abilities
- Community transport
- Traffic management for local roads
Many decisions that affect the use of transport are made well beyond local government boundaries, sphere of influence or communication mechanisms. However impacts can be evident locally, such as
- Parking pressures
- Social exclusion
- Road accidents
- Excessive traffic volumes
- Inactivity
- Environmental damage
- Noise
- Emissions
Local governments have an overriding mandate to act in the best interest of the community and seek outcomes consistent with broad goals of community well-being, equitable access to services, environmental protection and sustainable and liveable communities.
Integrated transport offers local governments a means to understand the real impacts of transport provision on the community and how to influence decisions made elsewhere to improve local outcomes in line with broad community goals.
So while the day to day role of local governments may be limited by budget and sphere of responsibility, there is a real value for local governments to engage with wider transport issues.
The role of local governments in transport is explored in the following:
- Auslink
- Growing Victoria Together
- Melbourne 2030
- Transport Connections
It is in local governments' best interest to step forward and take
a more active role on behalf of their communities.
For further reading on these issues refer to
Local Government and Integrated / Sustainable Transport: The Why, What and How of Getting Involved
Presentation by Professor Graham Currie, Chair of Public Transport, Monash University, 2003
The emerging issues around transport and consequent pressures on local governments make a strong case for greater involvement. Three types of involvement are explored.
Local Government and Sustainable Transport
A paper presented to Managing Urban Traffic Forum in Perth, July 2004 by Cr. Janet Rice, City of Maribyrnong and Metropolitan Transport Forum, Melbourne.
Janet explores what local governments can do to promote sustainable transport by acting on strategic planning, infrastructure, statutory planning, behaviour change, community transport and working together. She explores some funding options and concludes with a nine point plan to bring about change.
Transport Solutions: A Local Government Responsibility
by John
Nevins, Directors Works and Governance, City of Boroondara (2001)
The Role of Local Government in Integrated Transport
Presentation by Emerson Richardson, Senior Executive Transport Planning, Sinclair Knight Merz, 2001. The value of a more extensive role for local governments over all modes is developed and a three stage process put forward to build a meaningful partnership with state and local governments in the delivery of integrated transport.
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