2018-07-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   10 JULY 2018




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                               10 JULY 2018

         Walk and Ride to School Program

         Traffic congestion at drop off and pick up times is an issue for some schools in Noosa Shire.
         Students being dropped off at school in the morning also coincide with people getting to work
         which in turn creates traffic and congestion in some areas of the Noosa road network.
         A Walk and Ride to School Program is a behaviour change program which encourages
         parents, carers, and teachers to consider using alternatives to driving a car to school. These
         include walking, cycling, scooters, skateboards, carpooling or catching a bus. Schools are
         frequently catchment based, meaning many people live within a few kilometres of their school.
         This makes it ideal to encourage walking or riding bikes and scooters. Active travel to school
         may not be possible all the time, but replacing even one or two trips a week with a sustainable
         mode can make a difference.
         Benefits of a Walk and Ride to School Program:
             *   Reduces traffic congestion and parking issues around the school.
             *   Safety when students walk and cycle in a group or with a parent. Cars around the
                 school gate pose a significant danger to students. Less cars makes the school a safer
                 place.
             *   Increases physical activity. A Walk and Ride to School Program is a great initiative for
                 health and well-being.
             *   Reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with driving cars.
             *   People out and about walking and cycling create a sense of community and foster
                 social interaction. This means people can keep an eye out for each others’ well-being.

                The weekday commute times could be eased greatly by encouraging children
               to cycle or walk to school. Most schools have good cycle paths running nearby
                                           Your Say Respondent

         Park and Walk/Ride to School days, class competitions, bicycle education, and national event
         days could be part of the solution to address congestion around schools.
         The focus will be on primary schools. Establishing healthy habits for travelling to and from
         school at a young age will hopefully continue into high school. Schools will be invited to
         participate through an expression of interest process.
         The success of the program will be dependent on support from school communities, in
         particular those schools that take ownership of the program to reduce traffic congestion and
         create a safer, healthier more vibrant school environment.

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