Albany gets TravelSmart

• Funding of $58,000 towards employing a TravelSmart Officer for Albany
• Travel change programs help households, schools, local governments and workplaces switch to more active modes of transport

The City of Albany has been awarded a $58,000 Local Government TravelSmart Officer grant by the Department of Transport (DoT), which will go towards employing a TravelSmart Officer who will encourage and promote smarter and more sustainable travel options in the region.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the TravelSmart Local Government program was one of the travel change programs run by DoT to help and encourage employers, schools, households, local government and communities to swap car trips for more active and sustainable travel modes such as cycling, walking and public transport.

"TravelSmart Officers work with the community and local governments to integrate active transport options into local development, planning and infrastructure," Mr Nalder said.

The Local Government TravelSmart Officer grant is provided by DoT to partially fund the cost of a new TravelSmart Officer position within the City of Albany over a three-year period, with the city contributing the remaining funding required for this period.

The Minister said the employment of a TravelSmart Officer in Albany would further complement the State Government's 2012 funding commitment of $900,000 over three years to help plan and build significant bike network projects in Albany.

"Completed projects which are jointly funded by the State Government and the City of Albany include shared paths at the Anzac Peace Park, Griffiths Street, Anson Road and new bicycle lanes on Golf Links Road and Emu Point Drive," Mr Nalder said.

Since the TravelSmart Local Government program began in 2000, 21 local governments have received seed funding to support the employment of a TravelSmart Officer.

Fact File

• For more information, visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/activetransport   
• The TravelSmart Officer will be employed for about four days a week for three years
• DoT supports a number of travel change programs that help  and encourage employers, schools, households and local governments to choose active and sustainable travel modes such as cycling, walking and public transport more often
• The City of Albany last year released the Cycle City Albany (2014-2019) Strategy which was co-funded by the Department of Transport

Minister's office - 6552 6400