Local government is responsible for providing and maintaining transport infrastructure at the local level, including pedestrian paths, most bicycle paths and approximately 85 per cent of Victoria’s road network.
Councils also perform statutory planning functions which provide an important link between planning and transport, and advocate for communities’ transport needs to other levels of government.
Many councils take on additional responsibilities, including providing community transport services. The Victorian and Australian Governments are responsible for other transport infrastructure and services, and for developing relevant policy and regulations.
Submissions to government inquiries
We represent and advocate on behalf of councils to Victorian and Australian Government inquiries and policy reviews.
Our submissions cover many areas of transport policy and investment including:
legislative reform
infrastructure planning
service delivery
funding
Transport position paper
We are currently preparing a new transport position paper to define the Victorian local government sector’s position on transport issues.
The paper includes a discussion of challenges for the state’s transport system, as well as councils’ strategic objectives for transport policy and investment. It also covers:
The first edition of the paper was published in 2008. It was developed by the MAV Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Committee in consultation with all MAV member councils. At the October 2008 meeting of the MAV State Council, the paper’s seven strategic objectives were endorsed. The MAV Board also endorsed the paper at its November 2008 meeting.
In 2011, the MAV Board agreed that the transport position paper would be regularly updated to reflect changing circumstances and published as a living document on the MAV website. The updated paper will be published later in 2012.
Sustainable transport plan
At the May 2011 State Council meeting, councils endorsed the motion that, ‘the MAV develop a sustainable transport plan to set priorities and funding opportunities.’
Our sustainable transport plan will identify innovative and successful council transport initiatives. We’ll also communicate those successes to our members, assisting the cross-pollination of ideas.
The plan will focus on initiatives in which councils play a significant role including:
A series of case studies will be produced which provide a summary of the initiative and describe key elements that were critical to achieving a successful outcome. The first case studies will be published later in 2012.
Committees & working groups
We represent local government on a number of transport-related committees and working groups including:
Victorian Pedestrian Advisory Council
Victorian Railway Crossing Safety Steering Committee
Victorian Council of Social Service's Transport and Disadvantage Strategic Working Group
Heart Foundation Safe Speed Interest Group
TAC Community Road Safety Grants Reference Panel
Victorian Freight and Logistics Council
Victorian Road Freight Advisory Council
Victorian Road-based Public Transport Advisory Committee