We are pleased to announce that Launceston will soon be home to an innovative transport project that showcases the best in urban design, planning and renewal, funded as part of our efforts to make the nation’s major cities more productive, sustainable and liveable.
The Gillard Labor Government has agreed to fund a broad regional transport strategy to extend right across the Greater Launceston area.
The Greater Launceston Plan will receive $320,000 in funding as part of the Federal Government’s Liveable Cities Program.
The funding will allow the region to plan for the future, taking into account future public transport, water and land-use needs, the best placement of new employment and industrial precincts, population growth, demographic change and community aspirations.
At present there is no overarching strategy for the region - this new plan will be supported by municipalities across the northern Tasmanian region and the Tasmanian Government.
Aligning with the Gillard Government’s National Urban Policy, the strategic plan will reflect a broad community vision for the area.
From a national perspective, it’s a great example of the kind of cooperation between governments, as well as with the private sector, which will be required if we are to overcome the big challenges facing our cities such as climate change, a lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and a growing, ageing population.
Indeed, as one of the most urbanised societies on the planet, Australia’s future economic prosperity and social cohesion will depend largely on how successful we are at making our cities more productive, sustainable and liveable.
That’s why Federal Labor has ended the Commonwealth’s self-imposed, decade long exile from our major cities and is again engaging with the states and territories as well as local councils to bring about a much needed urban renaissance.