Transport, Traffic & Land Use : changing roles for local government

Abstract

There are a number of important changes occurring in local government which have the potential to significantly influence the role which this level of government plays through its influence on transport and land use. These changes include : larger local government units and the consequent tendency towards a strategic outlook; the withdrawal of State or central governments from some areas creating a vacuum which local governments may move to fill; a tendency towards partnership arrangements for major projects which may involve all levels of government; and (in Victoria, at least) the requirement for compulsory competitive tendering. This paper examines the effects of these factors in three areas: · Integration of land use development and transport provision. Notwithstanding a lot of talk and fine motives, we argue that the potential value to the community of a greater integration of land use and urban planning has not been realised. We suggest that local government, with its local understanding and responsibility and access to most of the important instruments of policy, is in a strong position to achieve better results. Greater attention to detail in implementation - good urban design - has often been an important missing element. · Public transport. While some local authorities in Australia and New Zealand have a very significant role in public transport, most do not. However, local government is likely to play a larger role in the future, extending beyond community transport to involvement in such aspects as bus routes and timetables, responsibility for certain infrastructure, e.g. railway stations, and a revised community bus role. · Road safety. Local government has always had an important role in road safety, but this is likely to increase in the future. Land use development and decisions related to control (or lack of control) of access greatly affect safety, and these decisions are a key local government responsibility. The potential for the application of road safety audits to development proposals, as well as other stages in the road design process, is also emergent.