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

———————————————-

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.

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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.
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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

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.