GGAA 2014 - Facilities & Services - University of Tasmania - Winner

Thinking outside the rectangle: beyond the carpark for sustainable transport

In a few short years, implementation of the University of Tasmania’s sustainable transport strategy (STS) 2012-2016 has led to fundamental shifts in institutional and community approaches to transport and by the university. The STS’ success in achieving more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable transport outcomes and travel behaviours are evidenced through major policy changes (e.g. free parking removal), infrastructure investment, service improvements and, with student involvement and extensive data collection.

Top 3 learnings:

• Consult, consult, consult – internally and externally! Staff, students, key external stakeholders and the university community must have a say in the development and implementation of strategies.
• Benchmarking – what have others elsewhere in the world done? Gather and analyse data to serve as a baseline to justify resource commitments. Involving staff and students in this helps with buy in and supports implementation.
• Document and inform on implementation efforts to show the impacts and outcomes.

What is means to win:

“Award would recognises the University of Tasmania and its partners in developing and implementing a comprehensive Sustainable Transport Strategy. It strongly supports the University’s lead role in encouraging the uptake of sustainable transport options and their positive impact on the environment and community health and well-being”
– Professor Peter Rathjen, Vice-Chancellor

What the judges said:

The judges thought this was an excellent initiative that demonstrated a whole system strategy with considerable benefits and significant environmental outcomes. It adopted a holistic, collaborative approach, linking academic research and the operational needs of the university as well as collaborating with external industry and staff and students.

Videos

• GGAA 2014 - Facilities & Services - University of Tasmania - Winner (click to hide)