Submission: SA Walking Strategy
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft South Australian Walking Strategy 2022-2032 (Walking Strategy).
Urban Future Exchange (UFX) is a provocative and politically savvy social enterprise, leading progressive discussion in urban studies and related disciplines, in pursuit of an urban future for South Australia that is healthy, confident, equitable and sustainable.
Our membership is broad and balanced, and includes individuals and corporate associate members from the public, private, not-for-profit and academic sectors. Our members have qualifications and expertise in urban planning, law, design, industrial design, business, health, sustainability, industry and policy amongst many others. As such, the UFX provides a unique and diverse view on South Australia’s urban and regional future.
We strongly support the vision and ambition of this draft Strategy.
UFX understands that South Australia does not currently have a South Australian Integrated Movement Strategy. It is hoped this Walking Strategy provides the impetus to develop one and its priorities help to lay its foundation.
In respect to the draft Walking Strategy, UFX offers the following feedback:
We strongly encourage setting specific targets that can be measured and met over the next 10 years, to ensure action is delivered.
We encourage collection, analysis and publication of spatial data to support prioritisation of targeted interventions like improved connections, accessibility and green infrastructure.
The State Government must ensure walking and other forms of active movement are embedded in upgraded and new movement infrastructure, including road and rail projects.
Demonstration and pilot projects provide fantastic opportunities to experiment and share innovations in the urban and regional environment. There is a great opportunity to partner and develop new housing/land projects that place walking and active movement as a key objective of the project. The Lighstview project had a strong emphasis on walking, yet this emphasis has not extended to more projects. With a number of new projects in the planning phase across the public (including Oakden by Renewal SA), not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, there is a great opportunity to partner and demonstrate best practice active movement in new neighbourhoods.
The Strategy acknowledges that local government owns and manages the majority of walking infrastructure, yet does not have a clear mechanism for engaging with the sector.
There appears to be substantial opportunity – which is not currently addressed in the plan – to partner with Green Adelaide, local governments and others to develop integrated green and active movement initiatives such as:
Rewilding the Adelaide Park Lands and Karrawirra Parri; and
Reinstating natural stormwater and open space systems across metropolitan Adelaide, with associated recreation reserves and linear parks.
We commend the collaborative approach taken to develop the Walking Strategy. There is an opportunity for greater industry and community engagement via reference/action groups during the delivery phase.
UFX congratulates Wellbeing SA and the Heart Foundation for leading this Strategy. We note the majority of these priorities and actions require the leadership of agencies responsible for place and movement. To achieve this, there must be a strong governance structure. The UFX also recommends the delivery phase is appropriately resourced.
UFX would like to thank Shanti Ditter from the Heart Foundation for meeting with us and providing further context and information about the Walking Strategy.
If you would like to discuss this submission in further detail or any other matter, please don’t hesitate to contact the UFX