Hi ,

It's been warming up everywhere this month - both in terms of weather and activity! Last month was a buzz of conversations about safe speeds, climate change and motonormativity as a result of the tour by Lee Waters MP. Lee managed to visit five cities as part of his recent, very successful trip to Australia sharing the message of how, under his leadership, Wales moved to a national 30km/h speed limit. The political engagement was impressive and we hope the conversations continue as some states go into local election time - read more here.

If you'd like something from your state or neighbourhood featured in the next newsletter, please get in touch - contact@betterstreets.org.au.

*The image at the top of this newsletter is from Parramatta in NSW.

Better Streets - Board Nominations

We are seeking passionate leaders committed to our mission of creating safer, healthier and more sustainable streets for all Australians. If you would like to join our board and help us reach our goals of getting kids active, providing more crossings, slowing vehicles down, building safe cycling infrastructure and boosting local businesses, apply before the Annual General Meeting (15 September 2024) - Link to form.

NATIONAL

Over 1,000 people attended the Lee Waters Australian tour to hear about the Welsh journey to 30 km/h

Lee Waters, the former Welsh Deputy Minister for Climate Change, was in Australia last month presenting at several events co-sponsored by Better Streets and Committee for Sydney, AITPM, City of Sydney, WalkSydney and the Henry Halloran Research Trust. He discussed the Welsh transport policies in the context of social equity and environmental sustainability.

SYDNEY

Watch the Sydney talk with Rob Stokes and Clover Moore, which had 250 attendees from community, industry, state and local government.
- Better Streets tabled a letter signed by 100 of Australia's leading transport and urban researchers (led by Dr Jennifer Kent from the University of Sydney) in support of reducing road speeds now. Its main message: 'The barriers to slowed local streets in Australian cities are not structural or even fiscal. Instead, they lay in political hesitancy.'
A meeting with the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Active Transport, with attendees including Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Marjorie O'Neal, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, and advisors to Minister for Transport Jo Haylen and Minister for Roads John Graham.
Meeting with Minister Graham, and around 15 meetings with NSW and Queensland government transport and planning executives.

CANBERRA

Meeting with Parliamentary Friends of Cycling (a short summary of the key messages shared here).

ADELAIDE

Met with 40 attendees from industry and government.

MELBOURNE

120 people attended the event, which included a panel discussion with researchers Julian O'Shea and Lauren Pearson, Ben Rossiter (Victoria Walks) and Councillor Sophie Wade (City of Yarra). Watch the recording here.

PERTH

Spoke to over 400 attendees at the annual conference of the Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management.

You can read an overview about Lee's visit on the Better Streets blog.

WATCH - 'Better Streets for Every Body'

Better Streets President Sara Stace spoke to Canadian urbanist Gil Penalosa as part of a global webinar series showcasing inspiring stories from cities around the world. Discussing the theme 'Better Streets for Every Body,' the conversation focused on how Better Streets is advocating for inclusive, safe and joyful streets, and strategies to address our generation's climate challenge.

The interview is now available as a recording on YouTube - watch it here.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Asia Pacific Society for Physical Activity (co-hosted by Australian Walking and Cycling Conference) - 20-22 Nov, 2024

Perth is hosting the biggest health conference in the country, which brings together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to explore innovative ways to advance physical activity and support active lives. More details here.

NEW SOUTH WALES

New funding for councils to create more space for business

It's great to see 73 councils in New South Wales have been funded to deliver over 130 street events across NSW. Successful grant recipients will receive up to $150 000 to support the temporary closure of streets for placemaking activations for people. Read more here.

Read more here about Randwick Council's open street events, Spot On, which run from August until October.

The City of Sydney's programme, Sydney Streets, runs between September and November - more information here.

WRITE - Calls for Submissions to walking, cycling and place projects

Strathfield Active Travel Survey (closes 13 Sep)
Planning for Mayfield community feedback - City of Newcastle (closes 13 Sep)
Wollongong - 'Creating safer connections around our Train Stations' community feedback (closes 18 Sep)
'Improving Road Safety - South Creek Rd, Fisher Rd North & Middleton
Rd' survey - Northern Beaches Council (closes 19 Sep)
M4 Bridge Pedestrian Ramps upgrade community feedback - NSW government (closes 20 Sep) (project information here)
Draft Open Space Strategy community feedback - Central Coast Council (closes 23 Sep)
Granville Road - Proposed pedestrian crossings and 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area community feedback - (closes 24 Sep)
Shoalhaven Active Transport Strategy survey - (closes 29 Sep)
How do you travel to healthcare appointments? Community feedback process - NSW government (closes 30 Sep)
Performance and Wellbeing Framework community feedback - NSW government (closes 18 Oct)
East Albury Precinct Plan community feedback - Albury City (open throughout August/September)
Wagga Wagga 2050 Community Strategic Plan community feedback - (currently open)

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

Writers/content creators / Newsletter editor

Do you like writing, editing stories, communicating good stories about Better Streets? Then come join the communications team, reach out at contact@betterstreets.org.au.

Photographers

Can you take beautiful photos of people and streets? Do you cringe at some of the blurry photos on the Better Streets website? If this is you, reach out and help improve the website - reach out at contact@betterstreets.org.au.

WEEKLY GET TOGETHER

For those based in Sydney an in-person weekly get together to say hi, exchange ideas, keep track of our activities and keep motivating each other.

Wednesday - 6pm - The Strawberry Hills Hotel, 453 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills (near Central, map) upstairs (Accessible entry available.)

Thank you for your unwavering support as we continue to create better streets for all!