PLACES FOR TASMANIA’S PEOPLE

Greens’ Plan For More Sustainable and Liveable Urban Centres to Meet Big Challenges Ahead

The Tasmanian Greens today released a detailed policy initiative outlining the steps to transform Tasmania’s cities and towns to meet the 21st century challenges of liveability, climate change and peak oil.

Greens Environment and Health spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP and Greens’ Hobart City Council Alderman, Helen Burnett, released ‘Places for Tasmania’s People: Part 1 – Renaissance Hobart’ today.

Ms O’Connor said the policy initiative shows how Hobart can be a world leader in sustainable design and people-friendly places while addressing the urgent need to equip Tasmania’s population centres to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century.

“The Greens’ Places for Tasmania’s People agenda aims to establish a cooperative framework between all three levels of government to accelerate and facilitate the implementation of a statewide liveable cities and towns policy,” Ms O’Connor said.

“It’s time that our cities and towns are developed within a framework that provides for community and expert input, with a focus on liveability and sustainability. The Greens want Tasmania’s cities and towns to be better places to live, work and play.”

“If we act now, drawing on cooperation across Federal, State and Local Governments in Tasmania, we can leapfrog ahead to proudly join the world’s most liveable cities, where design and construction are founded on sustainability principles and the health and wellbeing of people come first.”

“Our plan, which focuses on Tasmania’s capital and major population centre in the first instance, would see our streetscapes become greener through shade trees and community gardens.”

“It would see more pedestrian and cycle access to the city centre, fewer cars and more places for people to sit and relax. It would ensure old buildings are retrofitted for new life and energy efficiency wherever possible, and new buildings built to six star green building standards. These are the places of the future,” Ms O’Connor said.

Highlights of the Greens’ policy initiative include:

q Establishing a Places for Tasmania’s People Program within the Office for Climate Change

q Establishing a Places for Tasmania’s People Fund;

q Establishing a Panel of Experts, chaired by the State Architect;

q Renaissance Hobart: initial blueprint for change.

Download: Places for Tasmania’s People: New Life for Our Cities and Towns. Part 1 – Renaissance Hobart, Cassy O’Connor MP, September 2009:
Places_for_Tas_People_Policy_Initiative_C_OConnor_ATTACH.pdf
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens’ Environment and Parks Spokesperson