Safe cycle parking spot in the City of Melville for cyclists. Photo by – Shreya Pilo.
The City of Melville is developing a new transport plan to improve how people get to, and access, frequently visited community spots.
The aim of the plan is to lower people’s dependence on cars by creating new routes for walking and cycling, which in turn it is hoped will improve the overall health and quality of life for locals.
Money for the transport plan and its implementing has been earmarked to be spent over the next 10 years.
While Melville has had a transport plan for a decade, the City’s Senior Strategic Urban Planner, Martin Spencer said it needed an upgrade to move forward into the next 10 years.
“Our main focus is the smaller centers and how people get to their local shopping areas, sports areas, and schools,” he said.
Issues and obstacles with walking and riding paths between neighborhoods are going to be fixed, to help get less people walking or cycling on local roads.
“We want to make life easier for people to use those alternative transport options rather than driving a car, taking some pressure off the roads in that respect,” said Spencer.
City of Melville resident, Anushka Philip, takes frequent walks around the town and is thrilled with new opportunities to get to community hotspots.
“I’m all about just making Perth a better city to live in, more community based, embracing that active lifestyle,” she said.
Under the plan, better access to safe and convenient transport will be provided in neighborhoods in Melville.
“It will improve access to schools, footpaths, and cycleways so that kids can find their own way to school either walking or riding, and people who are catching the bus get good access to bus stops,” said Spencer.
Currently 97 percent of houses are within 400 metres of a bus stop, and the plan aims to improve on that by making it more accessible for wheelchairs and prams.