Shoppers and how they travel

Every example you look at from around the world where clearways have been created 24 hours a day, retail trade goes up. That is the reality of it.
- Peter Moore, Executive Director, UITP (International Association of Public Transport)

The build up in the popularity of trains has now been matched by increases in patronage for trams . This is creating an increased demand from the travelling public for more services, bigger and modern trams, and more reliable services.

Melbourne is unusual in two regards. We have the largest tram system in the world. And we have a system that largely runs on inner suburban streets unseparated in large parts from other forms of traffic.

This creates conflicts for road space – particularly in Melbourne’s case given the split in responsibilities and a desire to protect suburban strip shopping by providing parking access on main streets.

Elections have consquences

Australia to support UN Indigenous rights declaration

The decison to support the declaration, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, was part of the Rudd Government's election promises.

It also follows an unprecedented apology last year by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to the stolen generations.

Is that a newspaper or RACV propaganda?

Today's Herald Sun was breathtaking for its aggressive rhetoric on the prospect of the State Government not immediately proceeding on building the Eddington tunnel/freeway through the inner north and inner west.

There were four articles published (here, here, here and here), of which three of them were pro road building. The Herald Sun has clearly dropped any attempt to report and has moved into the realm of propaganda.

For whom the road tolls

Who would have guessed it? Sydney... congestion pricing?

But that's what has happened today, as NSW has announced peak toll road prices. Its a no brainer. It raises revenue (tick), manages congestion (tick), and if it helps get people out of their cars its good for their health (tick) and the environment (tick).

No doubt conservative interests will decry it as a money grab, but it must be done. Lets hope the notoriously fickle NSW Labor party does not fold on this one.

Safer Stations: Moreland and Jewell

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is campaigning to restaff Melbourne's train stations. They have identified 56 stations which should be re-staffed immediately and are running an online petition to advocate to the State Government that this should happen.

Two stations in, or on the border of, the south ward have been identified as needing staff - Moreland and Jewell.

I have signed the petition and encourage veryone to support the campaign.

For safer stations and better service for train passengers you should consider signing the online petition.

Campaign Launch

A Fresh Approach for Moreland

Last night, I attended a fundraiser for Enver Erdogan, one of Labor's exciting young candidates in the North West Ward.

I have known Enver for a number of years and he is a committed young progressive. He has cut his teeth on university politics, has been heavilly involved in state and federal campaigns, and is a lifelong Moreland resident.

When Enver talks about a fresh approach, it isn't just a form of words - its part of his nature. He has a solid, grounded, passion for working people. His father is a long time union activist, and Enver, as an economics graduate, understands the importance of work and dignity to the working class.

Carlo Carli MP, spoke at the gathering and spoke about the importance of grassroots politics to working people. He told us it was about whether kids will be able to play cricket or soccer this year, whether seniors can cook their meals at the senior citizens club, or whether families can save on their grocieries bills by having enough water to grow vegies at home.

This is the politics that Labor stands for. And its the politics that Enver will bring to council.

So if your a voter in Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Glenroy or Hadield, Enver Erdogan is a candidate you should consider voting for.

Another Anderson for South Ward

Today the selection process for Labor supported candidates for Moreland Council was concluded in the South Ward.

And I have emerged at the other end as one of the Labor supported candidates, so in fact another Anderson is running for Council in Brunswick.

More on this “another Anderson” business later.

Why have I decided to run? Well, for one I am not that happy with the quality of councillors on Council right now. There is the rare good councillor, but many of them leave much to be desired. I have been discontented by councillors who have gone out and advocated policies such as replacing trams with buses on Sydney Road, cutting funding for local festivals, closing community libraries. But mostly I have been discontented by opportunities missed. By the buck passing between different levels of government.

I would like a more positive focus from council. When a problem exists – like say the lack of childcare – I would like to see a attitude that rather then looking around for another level of government to blame, a attitude that says, “okay, so how can I, or we, work with other levels of government, or non government organisations to fix the problem”.

I think we, the people, deserve better from our political leaders. I don’t think we expect them to magically have all the answers, but I think the politics in Brunswick of the future is one of constructive political leadership.

So I am running because I am in the change business – I want to change the world, however naïve that may sound!

So where is the South Ward?

South Ward is one of three wards in the City of Moreland (inner northern suburbs of Melbourne). The geographic area it covers is almost all of Brunswick (including Brunswick East and West) with the exception of the north east corner.

South ward elects three councillors at the elections on 29 November 2008. At the last election it elected two Labor councillors and one Green.

What is this “another Anderson” business?

I am not the first Anderson to seek to represent the people of Brunswick at the municipal level.

My grandfather, Norman Anderson, was a local councillor for south west Brunswick from 1954 to a few years after I was born. He was also Mayor twice – in 1965 and 1968.

It was a different age, and a different time, and I suspect my political views would be substantially more to the left then his. But from “Pop” as well all called him I learn’t the value of hard work, the principles of service and the necessity to do good works.

If you want to know more about my grandfather, the Norm Anderson Trust (on which I sit on the board) check out their website http://www.normandersontrust.com.au/who-was-norm-anderson.htm

So what are your policies?

I don't plan to outline detailed policies right now - in the best tradition of political campaigns worldwide, but I will nominate a few areas I want to focus on:

• transport, parking and Sydney Road
• services for children
• sport, recreation and the use of parks and reserves
• affordable housing
• and figuring out how we make the planning system work to improve urban amenity.

All ambitious, and probably not achievable in a campaign let alone a term on council but their areas work talking about.

So how can others help?

What this space....... There is much ot be done and not enough time in which to do it!

Urgency Resolution – Transport in Melbourne

Urgency Resolution – Transport in Melbourne

The Victorian Government’s Meeting Our Transport Challenges (MOTC) plan is investing in heavy rail infrastructure, creating opportunities for access to the public transport network in suburbs where it has till now been lacking, and is revolutionizing Melbourne’s bus system.

However, heavy employment and population growth has meant that the projections upon which MOTC was based on have now been superseded and welcomes the Victorian Government’s commitment to consider further investment in transport infrastructure into the future.

In light of the East West Needs Assessment Study findings, and having regard to its limited scope, a new transport action plan is needed for Melbourne.Given the role that transport policy plays in improving social inclusion, mobility, sustainability and economic progress, such as action plan that builds on the success of MOTC is urgently needed.

Motion

That State Conference resolves that it calls upon the Victorian government to address the pressing needs of the whole metropolitan area and calls for a moratorium on the announcement of any new major transport infrastructure, until the preparation of a metropolitan transport action plan that:

• Addresses transport disadvantage by providing mobility and choice – especially in outer Melbourne
• Reaffirms Labor’s 20/2020 target – 20 percent of all journeys by public transport in metropolitan by 2020
• Maintains and enhances the livability of Melbourne
• Addresses compelling capacity constraints in the rail system
• Accelerates smart bus improvements and upgrades the minimum bus service standards, and,
• Addresses the need for the transport sector to make a major contribution to meeting Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.