The Victorian Government has recently commenced a new program called the Local Area Access Program (LAAP) through which it provides funding to local governments to help them develop and deliver a range of demonstration projects. These projects are intended to improve access to activity centres, schools, community services, public transport stops and stations, and other significant destinations within local areas. Typically they involve small-scale infrastructure works to overcome local barriers to walking and cycling or to enable people to reach public transport services. This paper describes the background to the Local Area Access Program, its objectives, the options considered in its design, the process of selecting projects for funding grants, the type of projects that are coming forward, and the significance of project evaluation. As the program is in its early stages, it is too early to report results of the demonstration projects; however, some general observations are offered. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E216058.
Abstract