Warrnambool City Council has received a $24,000 Brumby Government boost to improve local access to public transport and walking and cycling facilities.
The project named TravelSmart Champs will be delivered thanks to joint funding from the Brumby Government’s TravelSmart and Local Area Access Program Grants and Warrnambool City Council.
“I am delighted to announce funding for this project, which will improve the area’s sustainable transport network and encourage people to leave their cars at home for short local trips,” Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to deal with congestion and this program was established to encourage people to people to walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
“The benefits are numerous, including less traffic congestion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more physically fit community.
The Warrnambool City Council will work with three schools (Merrivale, St. Josephs and Warrnambool Primary School) to develop and implement school travel plans, as a way of formalising previous work promoting sustainable transport.
The project will seek to overcome time and resource pressures on existing sustainable transport programs, by employing coordinators at each of the schools to oversee the development of the school travel plan.
“Most local trips range from two to five kilometres, which is an easy distance to walk or cycle. Yet most people are using their cars for these short trips, contributing greatly to congestion and pollution.
“These grants enable local groups to implement transport improvements that benefit our community and our environment,” Ms Tierney said.
Ms Tierney said that this funding is part of a $2.5 million boost for walking and cycling state-wide, as part of the TravelSmart and Local Area Access Program Grants,
“To date, the grants package had delivered over $5.2 million funding to more than 50 local projects across the state.
“The Brumby Government has allocated $29.8 million to extend the TravelSmart program over 10 years, and $16 million for the Local Area Access Program over four years,” she said.
“This is in addition to the $28.2 million allocated to walking and cycling initiatives under the Government’s congestion plan Keeping Melbourne Moving.
“We are delighted to be able to support these innovative and practical projects that will improve access and liveability” Ms Tierney said.
For more information on the TravelSmart and Local Area Access Program visit www.transport.vic.gov.au and www.travelsmart.vic.gov.au