Published Saturday, 07 June, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
International expert sheds light on managing congestion
Premier Anna Bligh has enlisted an international expert in urban congestion to advise on her congestion busting initiatives in south-east Queensland.
Professor George Hazel OBE from the United Kingdom has been in Brisbane for the past week after being invited by the Premier to advise the government on international trends in Congestion Management.
The Professor spent the week meeting with representatives from the Premier’s newly established Urban Congestion Taskforce, Queensland Transport, Department of Main Roads, key industry groups and representatives from the South-East Queensland Councils.
"Managing growth and tackling congestion in south-east Queensland is a key priority for my government,” said Premier Anna Bligh.
“Professor Hazel has offered insights into how other cities around the world have handled the delicate balance between keeping pace with growth and managing congestion to ensure the city retains its liveability.”
Professor Hazel said effective transport management was a critical component for any city seeking to achieve a balance between economic competitiveness, the environment and lifestyle.
“In a recent study, we surveyed more than 500 city-leaders from all corners of the globe from cities such as London, Paris, Beijing, Chicago, New York and Rio de Janeiro,” Professor Hazel said.
“Each city had its own unique issues and circumstances to address – however, our study highlights common themes and trends that will shape the evolution of cities.
“The major common theme was that having an effective transport network was seen as the major driver of city competitiveness. And in cities with highly-efficient networks, such as London, transport is also being used to achieve government’s other environmental and social objectives.”
Professor Hazel said Brisbane was similar to many other cities around the world that were balancing growth and rising levels of congestion.
“Congestion is not necessarily a bad thing – in fact it can actually be a sign of success that a city is economically strong, vibrant, and growing,” he said.
“The critical management factor is knowing when congestion is affecting the economy, quality of life and the environment and then knowing how to manage it effectively.”
“Balancing a range of measures to ensure people and goods can move reliability, safely and affordably is the key.”
The Premier has enlisted Professor Hazel to work on an ongoing basis with the Queensland Government in managing congestion in the south east corner.
“The professor has studied transport policy around the world and we are pleased that he will bring that international experience and best-practice thinking to our city,” Ms Bligh said.
“He will also conduct an annual review of the Queensland Government's Congestion Management Strategy and report on progress to the government. We will greatly welcome his feedback.”
Premiers – (07) 32244500
Professor George Hazel OBE from the United Kingdom has been in Brisbane for the past week after being invited by the Premier to advise the government on international trends in Congestion Management.
The Professor spent the week meeting with representatives from the Premier’s newly established Urban Congestion Taskforce, Queensland Transport, Department of Main Roads, key industry groups and representatives from the South-East Queensland Councils.
"Managing growth and tackling congestion in south-east Queensland is a key priority for my government,” said Premier Anna Bligh.
“Professor Hazel has offered insights into how other cities around the world have handled the delicate balance between keeping pace with growth and managing congestion to ensure the city retains its liveability.”
Professor Hazel said effective transport management was a critical component for any city seeking to achieve a balance between economic competitiveness, the environment and lifestyle.
“In a recent study, we surveyed more than 500 city-leaders from all corners of the globe from cities such as London, Paris, Beijing, Chicago, New York and Rio de Janeiro,” Professor Hazel said.
“Each city had its own unique issues and circumstances to address – however, our study highlights common themes and trends that will shape the evolution of cities.
“The major common theme was that having an effective transport network was seen as the major driver of city competitiveness. And in cities with highly-efficient networks, such as London, transport is also being used to achieve government’s other environmental and social objectives.”
Professor Hazel said Brisbane was similar to many other cities around the world that were balancing growth and rising levels of congestion.
“Congestion is not necessarily a bad thing – in fact it can actually be a sign of success that a city is economically strong, vibrant, and growing,” he said.
“The critical management factor is knowing when congestion is affecting the economy, quality of life and the environment and then knowing how to manage it effectively.”
“Balancing a range of measures to ensure people and goods can move reliability, safely and affordably is the key.”
The Premier has enlisted Professor Hazel to work on an ongoing basis with the Queensland Government in managing congestion in the south east corner.
“The professor has studied transport policy around the world and we are pleased that he will bring that international experience and best-practice thinking to our city,” Ms Bligh said.
“He will also conduct an annual review of the Queensland Government's Congestion Management Strategy and report on progress to the government. We will greatly welcome his feedback.”
Premiers – (07) 32244500