The Greens have cited new data from insurer AAMI as further proof that the Government needs to do more to support vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians.

According to the survey, almost 50% of ACT residents own a bike but only one in six uses it to commute. 80% of those who didn’t ride cited dangerous traffic and unsafe roads as the biggest barrier to riding.

“This result shows that our car and road focused Government is discouraging people taking up healthy sustainable transport options,” said Caroline Le Couteur MLA, Greens spokesperson for planning.

“The survey shows there are people out there wanting to ride, but being discouraged by Canberra’s traffic environment. The Greens have been working to address this through the Parliamentary Agreement by securing extra funding for bike paths and footpaths.”

“The AAMI report comes on the back of an ANU report last year, showing that almost one quarter of hospital episodes due to road trauma were cyclists.”

“We must prioritise sustainable transport like cycling, walking, and public transport. Increasing cycling infrastructure makes it safer to cycle, and better prepares Canberra for the challenges of climate change and peak oil, as well as improving people’s health.”

“The Government continues to prioritise car use, focusing on new freeways, and providing 50 times more capital funding for roads and car parks, than for cycling and pedestrian projects.”[1]

Ms Le Couteur said Canberra needs a multifaceted approach to create an environment that is cycling and pedestrian friendly, including:

• Making cycling and walking prioritised transport modes in planning, traffic, and urban design policies, instead of motor transport
• Structural measures, such as separated bike ways, and ‘pedestrian-priority’ spaces
• Improving road education to help all users co-exist safely.

[1] Figure from Government’s 5 year Integrated Transport Action Plan. It sets out $161m for road infrastructure projects and $41m for car parks. By contrast, it provides $4m for cycling and walking.

ACT Greens Housing Spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan MLA will seek Assembly support this week for the ACT Government to redevelop the Currong Apartments in Braddon for best practice sustainable living.

“I am calling on the Government to run a design competition for an environmentally sustainable social housing neighbourhood on the Currong site.” Ms Bresnan said today.

“It’s time our public buildings offered the lead in terms of innovative and worthwhile architecture rather than following in the footsteps of commercial housing developments in the ACT.”

“The ACT Government has been unable to sell the Currong Apartments, so we should take this as an opportunity to do something important with that site.”

“One way to unearth innovative solutions is to run design competitions, as the Victorian Office of Housing and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects did in 2001. The resulting K2 Apartments in Melbourne are now home to 150 people living in 96 units, around half of which are designed for people with a disability. These award-winning units use less than half the usual energy and water, incorporating solar power and hot water, good air circulation, attractive low-water gardens, and are made from low emission materials.”

“There are many other examples around the world. The BEDZED development in London is a mix of public and shared equity homes. It generates its own power, is wonderfully innovative in how it uses energy and water, and is home to a diverse, proud and engaged community of residents.”

“The sad thing for Canberra is that there are not yet any adventurous worthwhile developments like that here. But the Currong site, already owned by Housing ACT and close to the city and services, is the perfect place to build something special. A properly constructed design competition will show us all what is possible in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability. It’s much more than we are used to.” Ms Bresnan said.

ACT Greens Climate Change and Environment spokesperson, Shane Rattenbury MLA, says the increased green energy buy-up announced today is the kind of policy we will see more of with four Greens in the Assembly.

“The announcement made by the ACT Government today will hopefully be one of many this Budget week that lets all Canberrans know that having Greens in the Assembly will lead to a greener and more sustainable ACT.” said Mr Rattenbury today.

“This is just the beginning – the first step along the path to 100% renewable energy use by the ACT Government, as outlined in the ALP-Greens agreement.”

“The exciting thing about this announcement is that it puts ACT government operations back at the forefront of renewable energy use nationally. Once again, the ACT is starting to be out in front on environmental issues.”

“Greens budget items that have been announced already such as the improvements to public transport and renewable energy buy-up will benefit the community and the environment.” Mr Rattenbury said.

ACT Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan has described Education Minister Barr’s proclaimed commitment to Sustainability Education policy as disingenuous.

“In the Assembly, the Greens asked why Birrigai, the ACT’s highly regarded outdoor school, now costs students at least $15 a visit. The Minister suggested that was simply the price of a top quality program” Ms Bresnan said today.

“By taking a cost recovery approach to the Birrigai Outdoor School, the Minister is making sustainability education an optional extra”

“It is worth noting that the environmental education facilities of other States are not required to cover their operational costs.”

“In our view, all students of ACT public schools should have access to these programs, particularly given the importance of sustainability education to our future.”

“Whatever weasel words the Minister might have used about funds available for excursions, he cannot guarantee that students in the ACT will not miss out on attending an education program at Birrigai because their families can’t afford the charges” Ms Bresnan said.