Introduction

The Department of Infrastructure, Victoria, in association with the Institute of Transport Studies at Monash University and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, is to hold Australia’s first conference on Transport, Social Disadvantage and Well Being in Melbourne on 5th - 6th April 2006. The conference is supported by the Bus Association of Victoria and Metlink.

Reason for the Conference

Urban sprawl and sparse living are pervasive in Australia. Despite high levels of car ownership within these communities, there are many people who do not have access to a private car for at least some of their travel needs, and these people can experience a range of difficulties in accessing services and activities. If unaddressed, this problem can severely limit opportunities for participating in everyday activities that meet important personal, social and economic needs.  In addition to the absence of service provision, transport disadvantage may arise for a variety of reasons – reflecting personal financial circumstances, residential location, disabilities, ethnic or racial background, and/or age-based restrictions on eligibility or capability to drive.

Many social welfare programs and specialised transport services have been developed to address the needs of specific groups; however, the links (or gaps) between transport, social disadvantage and well being are not well understood in policy and planning, or in service delivery. This conference aims to promote this important issue among policy makers, practitioners and the wider community and to advance our understanding of the relationship between transport, social disadvantage and well being.

Conference Objectives

The conference has the following objectives:

  1. To advance understanding of links between transport, social disadvantage and well being.
  2. To identify how transport provision enables the development of inclusive social communities
  3. To promote awareness of the broader social objectives of transport provision
    • In wider government
    • Within the public transport sector
  4. To promote a joined-up governmental approach to improving access and mobility for the transport disadvantaged
  5. To set recommendations about outcomes we would like in 3 to 5 years time and what has to be done to achieve these outcomes.