[Greens-Media] Reducing our carbon footprint one step at a time

[office at act.greens.org.au]

ACT Greens, Amanda Bresnan & Shane Rattenbury 01/10/2008
 
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Reducing our carbon footprint one step at a time
 
ACT Greens Transport spokesperson and lead candidate for Brindabella, Amanda
Bresnan, together with Molonglo candidate & climate change spokesperson,
Shane Rattenbury, announced an Active Transport Plan for Canberra today to
make walking and cycling safer and more popular in Canberra, and make the
city more human friendly.
 
"Getting around town on foot or on bike not only reduces our carbon
footprint, but also makes people healthier," Ms Bresnan said.
 
"However, the Greens have received numerous complaints about the state of
paths from across Canberra.  We need an aggressive program to improve
maintenance of our footpaths and cycle paths, so that people are not
discouraged."
 
"Older people in particular have expressed concerns to us about the risk of
injury from cracked, broken and uneven footpaths, as well as how poorly lit
many parts of Canberra are."
 
"The Greens will introduce a range of measures to the new Assembly to make
walking and cycling safer, including path repairs and improved lighting."
Bresnan said
 
Specific initiatives to improve Active Transport in the ACT include:
 
. Committing additional funding to accelerate footpath and bike path repairs
 
. Improve lighting of popular commuter footpaths, bike paths and bus stops
 
. Target pedestrian infrastructure improvements around community facilities
and local shops, and   reduce speed limits to 40km/hr around shopping
centres
 
. Require developers to meet minimum standards for walkability &
connectivity to surrounding    walkways and cycleways for proposed new
developments
 
Shane Rattenbury pointed to the Active Transport plan as a responsible
response to a number of issues.
 
"These are all modest, affordable measures that should be part of the
Governments $250 million so called 'Integrated Transport Framework' which
spent 83.2% ($208 million) on car infrastructure and just 1.54% ($3.876
million) on Cycling and Walking." Rattenbury said.
 
 
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Media Contact  Tom Burmester 6247 6305, 0423 657 561
 
Authorised by T. Burmester, ACT Greens, 8-10 Hobart Pl Canberra City, PO Box
2019 Canberra 2601 t: 02 6247 6305    f: 02 6247 6455    e:
campaign at act.greens.org.au