Distinguished professor provides platform on transport connectivity

PROFESSOR Peter Newman AO, the John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University, will be the first witness to appear before the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities for its inquiry into increased transport connectivity and economic activity. 

Committee Chairman John Alexander MP said Professor Newman has devoted his career to sustainable transport and urban design, and is a perfect place to begin investigations into transport connectivity.

“Professor Newman’s most recent publication examines the use of private investment to fund urban rail networks,” Mr Alexander said.

“The discussion paper looks how rail and land developments add value in cities, and argues that such developments can lead to travel time saving, increased land values, concentration of economic activity and development, and environmental efficiencies.”

Mr Alexander said exploring funding mechanisms for major transport infrastructure will be a key focus for this inquiry.

The inquiry will examine the likely impact of increased transport connectivity on property values and property-related tax revenues, options for the use of value-capture mechanisms to sustainably fund transport infrastructure, the role of government in establishing sustainable value-capture funding mechanisms, international experiences with capturing the value of high speed rail infrastructure, and the impact of high speed rail on urban and regional development.

Further information on the Inquiry, including the full terms of reference and how to prepare a submission can be obtained from the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/itc or from the Secretariat on (02) 6277 2352.

The professor will appear at 5.30pm on February 23.

ENDS