A new sustainability strategy for Canberra has been released which aims to transform the urban centre of the city with new targets for public and active transport, increased electric vehicle charging infrastructure, better energy efficiency in new buildings and more green spaces.
It is part of the City Renewal Authority’s goal to create a competitive city that sets new standards for liveability, urban design, sustainability and resilience.
The strategy aims to improve the quality, design and connectivity of public and private spaces to encourage walking, cycling and public transport.
A goal of 40 per cent of travel within the precinct being made by active or public transport has been outlined as a 2025 target. To achieve this, a 2020 priority action is to develop capital works projects to improve public assets, such as roads, to reduce slow motor vehicle traffic on local streets and prioritise walking and cycling.
Other strategies for the city include delinking car parking from dwelling and unit titles to improve housing affordability and reduce car dependency. Delinking parking from retail and commercial development is also outline as a method to encourage public and active transport.
By 2025, the City Renewal Authority aims to implement a progressive reduction in car parking at new residential developments to a maximum of 0.5 carparks per apartment by 2025. It also plans to install vehicle charging facilities at all new developments and new ensure high-rise development carparks are designed for adaptive reuse.
City Renewal Authority CEO Malcolm Snow said Canberrans have a high expectation that their city be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
“We want a city that will still support future generations, so we need to create a city now where sustainable living is a part of everyday life. This responds to the community’s expectation for government leadership on sustainable development and access to green space,” Mr Snow said.
“Social and environmental sustainability are vital elements of our program as we implement the design-led and people-focused renewal of our city precinct.
“We will make Canberra an even more liveable city by reducing its environmental footprint and setting a high standard of social sustainability,” he said.
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