Project aims to reduce car use
A project to encourage Peninsula residents to leave cars at home is planned for the second half of this year.
About 2000 households, school groups and businesses are to be asked to participate in a State-funded TravelSmart project later this year.
The program aims to get more people to use public transport, cycling and walking and only use cars when necessary.
"The NSW TravelSmart Pilot Project is about working with the local community to find opportunities for leaving the car at home," an officer from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) said.
The project will involve consulting with community groups to find out about the ways people like to travel and try to get people to voluntarily commit to trying different ways to travel.
"DIPNR will be establishing a local reference group throughout April and May to help guide the Project. "
More details about the project and about how the local community can get involved will be available later this year.
The TravelSmart pilot project is being funded by (DIPNR), the Australian Greenhouse Office and State Transit.
The TravelSmart Alamein project, launched in Melbourne in June last year, advised households on public transport options, walking and cycling paths.
Once a household registered interest, maps, timetables and transport guides were given to them.
According to DIPNR, by November, 2900 information packages had been home delivered by a bike team, 14,890 public transport timetables had been distributed, 1279 community members received information about walking and over 200 home visits had been made to discuss public transport and cycling options.
"Similar initiatives are taking place in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia," they said. "The intention is to run and evaluate small pilot programs in Sydney and in the more regional setting of the Central Coast.
"This will help gauge the costs and benefits of investing in this type of initiative more widely."
Alison Branley, April 2