The future development of the campus is dependent upon creating better transport linkages with the City of Perth and other metropolitan centres.

1. Principles
2. Recommendations

The 1990 Campus Plan signalled an end of the campus being a primarily ‘drive to’ destination and the provision of public transport, cycling and walking access to the campus was further developed.

Despite being located away from the rail network, the University is accessible through road and public transport (bus) options available to the area. The ability of the University to grow remains linked to the ability to bring students and staff to and from the campus.

Parking

In Campus Plan 2000, the University’s parking numbers on the then campus area were capped; a policy that has been supported by the Western Australian Planning Commission. The 2000 plan capped parking at 4250 bays, of which 3300 were controlled by the University and the remaining 950 by local governments. It is intended to continue this cap. The University has continued to grow in student numbers despite the cap and will grow to 25,000 students by approximately 2015, indicating that access has been accommodated by means other than private vehicle and will continue to do so. The policy of having more students living closer to Crawley is likely to result in an increase in walking and cycling access to campus. As the campus land area expands the associated parking provisions for teaching and research buildings will be maintained.  However, consideration will need to be given for additional parking for other uses such as residential, collaborative research and commercial.

Over recent years there have been issues with student parking in surrounding streets. While the University is asked from time to time to address this issue, the University is only able to create parking by-laws over the land which it controls. The University has supported the cities of Subiaco, Perth and Nedlands amending and enforcing their own parking laws.

Transport policies and plan

The campus includes an internal ring road which was developed to help students travel between car parks on campus. The ring road mirrors the function of the adjacent roads, resulting in a replicated internal road network. The introduction of a narrower bike lane that can be used by service and emergency vehicles, has proved successful with the development of the Business School at the south of the campus. This model can be continued around the campus, without having an impact on accessibility.

The University is completing the UWA Transport Plan to provide a strategy for the day-to-day and longer-term direction for transport for the University. The transport-related objectives of Campus Planning Review 2010 include:

• efficient and equitable management of the limited parking supply
• provision of a high quality and range of non-automobile transport alternatives
• minimising the impact of parking and access on the physical campus environment
• making better use of campus land area currently used for surface parking and ring roads.

The draft UWA Transport Plan (2010) makes recommendations in five broad areas:

• behaviour change and review of programs
• improvement of the public transport network that services the University
• provision of high quality walking and cycling facilities to the University
• increasing the supply of local residential accommodation for students
• reform of the University parking system.

Back to top

Principles

1. Minimise single occupant vehicle usage to campus and encourage increased usage of alternative modes of transport such as cycling, walking and public transport.

Back to top

Recommendations

Alternative modes of transport

• Proactively explore Public Transport solutions while supporting the systematic increase in public transport capacity by the Public Transport Authority, including light rail.
• Allocate space for future public transport requirements such as light rail stops/depot, bus interchanges and ferry terminals.
• Encourage sharing alternative transport resources and parking with the general community.
• Increase supply of local residential accommodation for students, which (coupled with improved public transport) will reduce demand for car ownership and parking.
• Develop a guaranteed ride home programme for users of alternative transport.

Parking

• Consider parking as a regional issue – ensuring sufficient parking for the area, not a specific campus use.

Ensure the architecture and landscape quality of the campus is enhanced by:

• Providing underground parking, integrated within and under buildings where possible and economically sound.
• Removing smaller surface car parks when the opportunity arises, delivering small building sites or landscape opportunities.
• Reducing the use of cars on campus.
• Ensuring the architecture and landscape quality of the campus is not compromised by roads and parking facilities.

Back to top