Mayor Opens Trafinz Conference

Dunedin (Wednesday, 12 August 2015) – Good transport networks contribute a huge amount to the success of communities, Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says.

During his opening address at the 2015 Trafinz conference in Dunedin today, Mr Cull said transportation links are hugely important for more than simply connecting to, as they influence the viability of economies, indeed communities.

“Ironically they can separate as well as connect. Motorways connect different communities, that’s great, but they can separate people within communities by isolating people in their cars. Whereas walkways and cycleways can build community relationships.”

Mr Cull says the relationship between different transportation systems is also interesting. Like many New Zealand cities, Dunedin is developing a cycleway network.

“How will they affect the lives of our citizens? We have a reasonable idea, but it is difficult to know exactly how it will play out.”

The conference theme is Transport Futures: the changing face of transport. Mr Cull said that is very appropriate timing because although transport systems have been the connective links within and between communities for millennia, they are becoming much more complex.

Also, the interconnectedness between different systems is becoming more subtle.

He asked if nationally we should be looking at how different transportation modes affect each other in terms of an integrated transport strategy.

“Should we be looking at the effect of airline routes, railways, coastal shipping and roads on each other and on the regions and communities they serve?”

Perhaps even more interesting is the relationship between traditional transport modes and fibre optic connectivity. Following its Gigatown win, Dunedin has been looking closely at which services and products that are currently delivered physically could be provided digitally.

“It’s how a communication medium is becoming a transport medium.”

Mr Cull will also give a presentation tomorrow looking at the revitalisation of the historic warehouse precinct from a political perspective and how external investment affects community projects.

National and international transport experts have converged on Dunedin for the three-day conference. More than 180 delegates are taking part in the conference, which is being held at the Dunedin Centre.

There is a wide range of presentations and workshops on topics such as the end of the car era in cities, how technology is changing the transport conversation, visitor driver issues in Otago and Southland and evolving public transport in Dunedin.

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