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Why use this indicator?Motor vehicles are expensive to buy, run, and maintain, and there are many people and families who cannot afford a private vehicle. Increasing the numbers of dwellings within walking distance of facilities and services means that people without private vehicles, or who choose not to use them, still have access to what they need. Using cars also consumes significant amounts of non-renewable resources, especially fossil fuels, and produces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Motor vehicles also affect the amenity of neighbourhoods, through noise, visual and other impacts. Increasing levels of obesity, diabetes, and other conditions also demonstrate the impacts of our unhealthy lifestyles. Providing opportunities for exercise, such as walking to the neighbourhood shops, will encourage improved health in the City’s communities. Council aims to reduce dependence on cars by improving access to public transport, and encouraging walking and cycling through the provision of facilities close to where people live. This indicator will allow Council to measure our progress in reducing
the use of private vehicles, particularly for short trips, by providing
more dwellings with easy access to services and facilities. What is the current situation?Dwellings that are within walking distance of key centre services and facilities are as follows; Penrith City Centre - 30 dwellings, St Marys - 13 dwellings, Kingswood - 936 dwellings, Emu Plains - 232 dwellings, Emu Plains (Lennox Centre) - 665 dwellings, South Penrith (Southlands) - 760 dwellings, Werrington Station - 598 dwellings, St Clair Shopping Centre - 761 dwellings. This is the first year this Indicator has been reported so trend data is not yet available. Council has started preparing an Urban Study and Urban Strategy. The Urban Strategy will provide a strategic framework to guide the location of new housing in existing urban areas within the Penrith LGA. What is the desired trend?An increase in the percentage of dwellings that are within walking distance of services and facilities eg retail, schools, medical services. What does this mean for the Sustainability of Penrith City?Reducing motor vehicle use will lessen the consumption of non-renewable such as fossil fuels, and lower the production of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing motor vehicle use will also help to improve the amenity in built up areas, by reducing noise pollution. Increasing the numbers of dwellings within walking distance of facilities and
services means that people without private vehicles, or who choose not to
use them, still have access to what they need. It also encourages a healthier
lifestyle, with more opportunities to exercise. Case Study - New Release Areas
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