Active or zero emissions transport

The way we choose to move around our city has a big impact on our health, our safety, and our climate emissions. Almost a quarter (23%) of our community's emissions come from cars driven on our streets. Transport is the fastest-growing emissions sector in Australia and is projected to be the largest by 2030.

We need to act together as Council and community to get our city moving around in healthier, more sustainable ways.

Community 2030 Goals proposed:

• More active & sustainable local trips - More people of all ages and abilities are moving around Merri-bek actively and sustainably, with less residents relying on private cars for local journeys.
• Healthy and safe school commutes – Merri-bek schools engaged in the Ride & Stride program are averaging 80% of school trips by bike, scooter, walking or public transport.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network – publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure in Merri-bek has expanded, to achieve a ratio of 17:1 EVs to public charging bays (including Council-owned, privately owned and pole-mounted chargers).
• Better Public Transport – responding to priority advocacy asks, the state government has approved delivery of the duplication and extension of the Upfield train line and roll-out of accessible tram stops along Sydney Road.

Key actions include:

• Deliver the Ride & Stride behaviour change program together with infrastructure upgrades around schools, to foster safe and active travel to and from school.
• Co-design and deliver innovative initiatives to support active travel by people with additional barriers (e.g. e-bike library and subsidies, Wheel Sisters etc).
• Continue expanding Council's public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network across Merri-bek, including supporting on-street options in denser neighbourhoods.
• Create a more walking and cycling-friendly city through delivering actions in the Moving Around Merri-bek Strategy and Streets for People Plan.