Victoria Walks Inc submission to Plan Victoria

Abstract

Victoria Walks supports the general direction set in the discussion paper Big Ideas for Victoria’s Future and many of the specific elements suggested.

The Victorian Government has a target to increase active transport mode share from 18 to 25%, but there has been no real sign of increased investment to deliver this target. Responsibility for walking and pedestrian infrastructure tends to be left to local councils, with widely varying priorities and levels of funding, expertise and staff capacity. If the full benefits of delivering housing within potential walking distance of destinations are to be realised, it needs to be paired with policy and investment to deliver more walkable neighbourhoods.

Housing development in regional towns and cities appears to be ‘one size fits all’ with a conventional model of development based on subdivision of land on the urban fringe. There is a need to promote infill housing in areas within easy walking distance of key destinations in regional towns and cities.