July 3rd, 2009 AndrewD
As I back out of cycling advocacy in Sydney (Currently I am VP of BikeSydney (http://bikesydney.org and I was Pres for 8 years – and VP of Bicycle NSW for a number of years as well). I turn my mind to my new patch – Yass. Now the Federal Gov has been passing out Stimulis Packages for infrastructure. So far there has been a general one and one for cycling. Councils could apply for this money – well Yass has applied for nothing cycling related. Time they realised there is a cyclist in the village.
Looking at the Yass Council website I find this
Yass PAMP and Bike Plan
In 2005 Yass Valley Council engaged the services of Community Development Initiatives Pty Ltd to prepare an integrated Pedestrian Mobility Plan (PAMP) for the township of Yass and a PAMP strategic overview for the villages of Murrumbateman, Bowning, Binalong, Gundaroo and Sutton. The project included a review of the existing Bike Plan for the township of Yass and was funded by the Roads and Traffic Authority and the Motor Accidents Authority
Key aspects of the development of the PAMP and Bike Plan were:
- To facilitate improvements in level of pedestrian access and priority, particularly in areas of pedestrian concentration.
- To reduce pedestrian access severance and enhance safe and convenient crossing opportunities on major roads.
- To facilitate improvements in the level of personal mobility and safety for people with disabilities, older persons, children and other user groups, through the provision of pedestrian infrastructure and facilities which cater to the needs of all pedestrians.
- To ensure pedestrian facilities remain appropriate and relevant to the surrounding land use and pedestrian user groups.
- To link existing and planned road user plans in a coordinated manner, such as maintenance programs.
- To meet obligations under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
- Increase bicycle usage in the Yass Valley Council area.
- Encourage alternative methods of transport.
- Improve community health.
- Provide safer routes for bicycle users.
A number of community consultations were held in each of the towns and villages as part of the development process. This also included individual meetings with representatives of community groups such as the Access Committee, aged care facilities, community centres and schools. In total 54 consultations were held, with 27 group/services and 27 individuals being consulted. For further information please contact Yass Valley Council Road Safety Officer on 6226 9249.
Nothing else, but pointsbelow are encouraging
- Increase bicycle usage in the Yass Valley Council area.
- Encourage alternative methods of transport.
- Improve community health.
- Provide safer routes for bicycle users.
As I cannot find anything else on the website regarding this or cycling. I quickly fired off an email this aftrenoon.
Hi there, I have noticed in 2005 that there was a Yass PAMP and Bike Plan. Could I get a soft copy of this as I cannot find it on the Yass Council website (obviously if it is on the website could you email me the URL).
Also did Yass council apply to any of the Federal Gov stimulus packages in relation to cycling? There has been at least two packages that could be used.
Package: $40 million National Bike Path Funding as part of the Jobs Program
Package: Regional and Local Community Infrastructure (CIP)
If no request were made for the above, where is Yass Council up to in adopting the Yass PAMP and Bike Plan in particular in regards to the points mentioned on your website?
* Increase bicycle usage in the Yass Valley Council area.
* Encourage alternative methods of transport.
* Improve community health.
* Provide safer routes for bicycle users.
Andrew Dodds
Lets see what they make of this 
Posted in Bikes, Yass | 3 Comments »
September 1st, 2008 AndrewD
As some may know I still work in Sydney. They let me work remotely Monday and Friday, but I need to be there mid week. So rather than drive I catch the XPT. It takes approx 4 hours (3 hours driving), I can have a beer/wine read my book and relax. Anyway with summer approaching my ticket this week went to $50 (one way). Through autumn and winter it is $39. My yearly cost is at least $2500 (but more likely closer to $3500). But get this there is a international backpacker ticket that would only cost me $400/6 months, but you need to be an international visitor. So today I wrote to the Hon John Watkins as he is the Minister for Transport. My letter is below. Hopefully he will have something to say about the issue.
———————————————-
Hon John Watkins,
I am writing to you in what seems to be unfair practice by Country Rail NSW.
I live in the town of Yass, NSW and work in Sydney. My family and I moved from Sydney to Yass approx 1 year ago. Now I have been lucky and the business I work for has let me work remotely from home Monday and Friday, but I do need to be in Sydney mid week. I could drive but I do choose to catch the XPT from Yass to Sydney (and in reverse as well). In off peak season (autumn to spring) this costs $39.95 each way, in summer that jumps to almost $50 each way. Now if I was only catching the train occasionally that would be OK, but I use the train as a commute.
There should be a scheme for me to help reduce the cost (either six monthly ticket or frequent traveller plan). I am sure that over the past year I would have qualified for either. The big ‘rub’ comes when I see on the Country Link (http://www.countrylink.info) website a deal for international back packers (see below).
Why can there not be a similar deal for people who use the XPT on a regular basis? I choose not to drive to Sydney where I would be adding to the congested Sydney streets and air pollution so I see myself as
A/ contributing to the State of NSW
B/ being responsible in my transport options
Can you look into this and please rectify this unbalance.
=========================================
From the website – http://www.countrylink.info/travel_passes/backtracker_pass
CountryLink’s train and coach network operates to over 360 destinations linking Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane with regional NSW. And the best way to see it all is with CountryLink’s Backtracker Pass, combining flexibility with great savings.
Backtracker pass fares *
14 days – $232.00
1 month – $275.00
3 months – $298.00
6 months – $420.00
* Conditions apply. Backtracker passes are available only to overseas visitors holding valid passports and a return airline ticket. The Backtracker pass must be within the valid dates printed on your pass for you to redeem the bonus CityRail tickets. All prices are for economy travel for one adult and are in Australian dollars, including Goods and Services Tax, and are valid from from 1 April 2006. Travel must commence and the pass validated within 6 months of the date of purchase.
=======================================
I look forward to your prompt response – of course if you would like to discuss this please do not hesitate to give me a call
Posted in Transport | No Comments »
August 2nd, 2008 AndrewD
As most are aware I do not have a drivers licence. So each week I usually catch the XPT (Syd – Melb or in reverse). Anyway due to track-work today between Liverpool and Moss Vale I got to experience the ’scenic route’. This route goes via Woollongong and then up the escarpment via Robertson to Moss Vale. Sure it added an extra hour to the trip and could have been up to an hour and half (That is if we had run into a freight train coming the other way), but the view was amazing. Ocean views, cliffs, rain forest, it has it all. At one point I was looking out my window straight down a cliff face.
This track is usually the domain of freight trains and the occassional tourist train. So if you do have the opportunity to do this run I would recommend it.
Posted in Trains | No Comments »
