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Permalink Reply by heather on May 1, 2012 at 17:56

Increase in utility prices has encouraged people to use less electricity and water, even pay to install devices. For a while people would want to compare my electricity usage, but in dollars not kwh. The $ depends on your contract, so only kWh a real comparison.

So I believe that increasing the cost of using a vehicle will decrease car usage. Increased parking charges in the city. Higher rate for 8-hour parking which implies a worker who could have used frequent public transport during peak hours. Definitely bring in paid car parking at suburban shopping centres after all, those who cycle (or walk or bus) to the shops pay for the car parking through pricing of goods. A congestion tax into Australian CBDs like the successful London system. How about adding a petrol tax where the funds go into road upgrades and maintenance? Currently people who drive little subsidise drivers through council rates for residential streets, and income tax and GST for arterial roads. Have I started a heated debate? There are cyclists who do not want slower speed limits (proven safer for all road users and particularly cyclists) for when they drive.

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Permalink Reply by heather on May 4, 2012 at 17:58

AC member Sophia had her letter published in The Advertiser on Wednesday 2-May-2012
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/letters-hopes-city-transport-pla...

Letters: Hopes city transport plan will put us streets ahead
Congestion's a choke
The Adelaide City Council is finally catching up to cities around the world - including New York, London, Paris, Barcelona, Sydney and Melbourne - in releasing an Integrated Movement Strategy for public consultation, which is aiming to reduce congestion through the CBD and metropolitan area.
It is really upsetting to see this plan being subject to scare tactics which gives people the wrong information.
The strategy is not anti-car, it is about making room for those people who need to use a vehicle to get around the CBD, by giving the whole community more practical options in how they can travel. This strategy will take a lot of commitment.
We need the State Government to improve our public transport to meet our community's needs.
And the strategy needs public buy-in - everyone is entitled to have a say on on the draft IMS. Congestion is horrible; it is costing us money – and it is everyone's problem.
But if the focus is simply on parking convenience, then there is the danger that the strategy will fail ... and that Adelaide will be a car-choked mess in the near future.
Sophia MacRae, secretary, The Bicycle Institute of SA, Adelaide.

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Permalink Reply by heather on May 4, 2012 at 18:05

Cyclists it is important that you let ACC know that you support their plans to give more priority and safety to cyclists. It seems that some businesses and developers are objecting. Also please post comments on the Messenger supporting cycling and the ACC plans.

Retailers rail against council's car plans
Posted online on Tuesday 1-May-2012
http://city-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/retailers-rail-a...

City drivers can expect the number of on-street parks to be slashed and off-street parking to cost more than ever, under a Town Hall plan to get cars off the road.
The City Council this week unveiled a radical plan aimed at making the city more cycling and pedestrian-friendly.
The draft Integrated Movement Strategy, which was expected to be adopted at this week’s council meeting, has been welcomed by cycling groups but criticised by traders who fear removing on-street parking may impact their bottom line.
The draft plan proposes reducing the number of on-street parks and calls for drivers to be charged to use the remaining parks.
It also proposes slugging a levy on drivers who park in any of the council’s nine U-Parks, with the revenue being invested back into cycling, pedestrian and public transport infrastructure.
The council had not yet released how much a levy would cost or how much it would charge for drivers to use on-street parks.
City-based developer and Rundle Mall Management Authority chairman Theo Maras said the plan, expected to go out for public consultation tomorrow (April 27), was “absolute rubbish” and would deter investors.
. . .
An online poll had more than 1000 hits at press-time, with 60 per cent of people saying they would be less likely to drive into the city if there was a levy on U-Parks.
The council’s 10-year draft plan also proposes:
-removing all-day parking in and around the parklands with a maximum of four-hour parking;
-reducing speeds to 40km/h in the city and 50km/h through the parklands; and
-removing slip lanes at intersections.
. . .
Adelaide West End Association president Andrew Wallace said the council needed to clearly outline how changes to on-street parking might advantage retailers.
“Some traders will have initial concerns about this, absolutely, but it has to be demonstrated to traders what the trade-off benefits are and how it will be beneficial for them,” Mr Wallace said.
“What we really want is more people on the street in the West End.”
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood defended the plan, saying it was not “a driver’s worst nightmare”.
“For people who have spent their entire lives driving cars, it may be hard to comprehend a different future,” Mr Yarwood said.
“It is not about stopping people from using their cars this is actually about providing some balance and alleviating some of the pressure on our roads.”
Public consultation on the plan is expected to close on June 8.
Elected members will decide whether to go ahead with the plan in July.

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