[Greens-Media] Greens Bid to Get Perth Moving

[Guthrie, Shane]

Greens MLC and transport spokesperson Lynn MacLaren said today that there's no need for Perth's public transport to hit a pothole. 

"With the demand for public transport growing at nearly twice the rate expected by the State Government, Perth needs a comprehensive light rail system, a city-wide cycling network, and activation of activity centres," said Ms MacLaren. 

"The Southwest Light Rail Corridor Study has planned out a popular route from Murdoch to Fremantle. There's no need to wait for a northern suburbs line first. Opportunities for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) exist surrounding Carrington Street, as well as the Murdoch Activity Centre and Eastern Precinct near the Murdoch terminus. By travelling along South Street, environmental costs are low and a rapid service is ready to go.

"Heavy rail stations, such as Fremantle and those along the Mandurah line, can get the TOD treatment too. Park and ride facilities should be integrated into multi storey complexes. East-west feeder bus services and cycle paths should be enhanced to reduce the dependency on park and ride. 

"We want to see the current CBD-centric public transport system transformed into a network that better connects strategic metropolitan centres with improved east-west connectivity. 

"We only need three per cent of the WA Transport Budget to deliver the Greens Bike Vision 2029 which would make Perth a world-class cycling city and activate cycling across the state.

"An in-depth survey by the Department of Transport in 1999 identified that up to 47 per cent of all car trips taken in Perth could be replaced by public transport, cycling or walking, without any system improvements at all. 

"We want to see people choosing to use bikes for 29 per cent of all trips in Perth by 2029. That's 18 times more than the current level. Imagine the reduction in vehicle crawl on our roads. 

"Activity centres, identified in the State Government's Directions 2031 city development plan, would reduce the need for spiralling road infrastructure costs if only it was implemented. Congestion evaporates when we remove the need for so many people to drive into the CBD. Land-use planning is key," Ms MacLaren concluded. 


For comment: 
Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC 
Mobile 0403 721 951


Shane Guthrie 
Electorate and Research Officer 
Office of Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region
Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia
Unit 7, 142 South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160
Tel +61 8 9430 7233   Fax +61 8 9430 7207
Shane.Guthrie at mp.wa.gov.au   www.LynnMacLaren.org.au