Media Response |

- Director Infrastructure and Environment Terry Demeo

Q. Does City of Ballarat have a transport policy and action plan? E.g Has council set targets for zero emissions transport and public transport use? Are electric vehicles part of the council fleet? City of Ballarat has a sustainable transport strategy which guides our cycling and pedestrians policy position with major initiatives such as the Ballarat Connections project linking all the cycling paths across the city in the CBD, the VicRoads $9 million plan is a product of council's initiative in this regard. City of Ballarat has some hybrid vehicles as part of its fleet, but no electric vehicles currently. As part of the Carbon Neautrality plan, we will explore this as the electric vehicle market matures. 

Q. Is council encouraging sustainable transport use e.g. public transport, walking and cycling? How? See above. And further, as part of City of Ballarat’s major consultation effort around Smarter Parking, the necessity for sustainable transport and enhanced public transport has been highlighted, which will further inform Council's advocacy and lobbying efforts. 

Q. What is the current action as part of the Cycling Action Plan?  See above

Q. Is there electric vehicle charging stations in Ballarat? Are the plans to introduce more? There is a station at Wendouree. These will continue to roll out as the market demands. We would expect charging stations to be introduced by the private sector with no intervention required from City of Ballarat.   

Q. Is council considering disincentives for car use?  As part of the Smarter Parking initiative what has become apparent is that even with major additional parking infrastructure as the city grows there will be choices required in respect to car utilisation and or other transport options. 

Q. Why is City of Ballarat not signed up to the Climate Council Cities Power Partnership? It is envisaged that council will consider a report in relation this matter in coming months.