“The achievement of mode shift is a complex issue, requiring a coordinated, long term approach across State and Local Government, developers and the community. The attractiveness, accessibility, reliability, efficiency and integration of sustainable transport modes such as public transport, cycling and walking are all considered key factors if mode shift is to be achieved. Actions to encourage mass behaviour change also need to be identified and implemented. In addition, the management and supply of parking facilities requires careful control”. Source Doncaster Hill Newsletter in a report 2014

Hepburn Rd High Rise
Extra Parking Basements
Click to enlarge

The above is the sort of drivel we are getting from our bureaucrats, writes “Chamier”, still buck passing 13 years after they had been warned that public transport to Doncaster would not include a rail service. Presumably the “mode shift” was to include an increase in cycling and walking but we have no safe dedicated bike paths with rideable gradients nor are the steep streets surrounding the centre conducive to easy walking while access to the core of the centre (Westfield and the Bus Interchange) is further hampered by the minimum number of pedestrian crossings available on Williamsons and Doncaster Roads. Some major developments are now providing more parking spaces than the required rates

because they anticipate the continuing high demand for car ownership

Manningham planners were advised as early as 2001, before they determined the size and design of the Doncaster developments, they would need to take into account that a railway to Doncaster was not viable and the solution to its public transport would be restricted to an extended Bus service.

The proposition that car ownership could be discouraged by reminding people of the real cost of running a car is even more fanciful today. Not only are cars more affordable than ever before, they are more economical to run, and safety items that were once expensive extras are now standard inclusions. The latest measure by the planning authority, to discourage car ownership in and around activity centres, to maintain a shortage of car parking opportunities, will not work.

The Doncaster Hill strategy does not meet the ideals of an activity centre. It has no post secondary education, no hospital and at least 65% of full time work is situated outside of the municipality.

Manningham Council’s chief executive Joe Carbone provided the understatement; convincing people to change their travel habits was a “complex issue”.

Council is now lobbying state government for $130,000 for yet another traffic study.

Predictions for Doncaster Hill by 2031:

10,000 expected population

7 million visitors expected to the area each year

A target for 30 per cent of people not relying on cars.