Changes in Perth- Living and Travelling

Perth region is growing fast. Change is happening; sometimes we notice, sometimes not. Since 2003 car ownership has grown 39%. Freeways and roads are often crowded. Public transport use has grown 40%, car use per capita has declined 7%. At peak times the rail system carries the equivalent of 8 lanes of traffic. Last year we made 55 million train trips.

The growing success of our rail system is told around the world. Peter Newman and Jan Scheurer of Curtin Uni have released a report on our transport, where we are and what we can do next.

Some of the development background for thinking includes:

• Doubling of Curtin University (including six 20 storey residential towers)
• Rapidly growing health and education precinct at Fiona Stanley/ Murdoch Uni
• Doubling of Bentley Technology Park;
• Large increase in residential and commercial development in Victoria Park
• Riverside Development adjacent to the WACA and
  Trinity, including extensive high rise and medium rise residences and commercial premises
  
• The eastern end of Central Perth where most of the new high rise has been happening and more is expected
• Northbridge Link: the largest urban regeneration in Central Perth, directly above the Central rail station and the new underground bus terminal
• Redevelopment of the PMH site on Thomas Street
• The largest health complex in Perth with the new PMH and Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital
• UWA complex set to double in size

A light- rail arc is proposed, linking these developments. The authors speak of the knowledge economy as the basis of all new developed- economy jobs and of this rail  link connecting the knowledge centres of our city.

A motivation for light rail is that all of these developments are severely limited by transport and parking issues. It is already often difficult to park anywhere near these centres and traffic is slow; transport is a limiting factor for our future.

The report is relevant also to our local conversation about Canning Bridge. We have a vision for Transit Oriented Development here. The report cites evidence from around the world that people living in a TOD have 50% less car use and save $20,000 a year through needing one less car per household.

I find it interesting that nearly everyone agrees with the benefits of a good rail system and TOD- style development but that there is controversy around such things happening anywhere near us.

While leading a bushwalking group around Mundaring Weir yesterday I was talking over these issues with others. The concern was with how we fit in more people and preserve our bush and maintain the lifestyle we love, in an attractive community and do it all sustainably.

The way in which we put all this together is what will make the difference.

Your thoughts? Click on ‘Comments’ below. Log in with Name or Anonymous.