Taking Action

• Using the Self-Assessment Matrix [Excel, 2.1MB] or more detailed Gap Analysis Tool [DOC, 460KB] determine Council's current transport situation and trends making use of CCP greenhouse gas inventories, previous CCP reports and/or Council audits.
• Identify existing transport policies, plans and strategies within Council (document hierarchy).
• Investigate what recent local/regional/state/federal changes in the transport 'environment' need to be considered now and for the future.

Remember to involve in the process all staff whose responsibilities impact on transport, preferably through an internal whole-of-council working group, or through meetings, briefings or memos.  ICLEI has prepared a powerpoint presentation that can be used, and adapted as required, to brief council:

Sustainable Transport: Introduction and Action Planning [PPT, 716KB]

In consultation with key decision-makers and staff from relevant Council departments:

• Determine the aims, objectives and goals of the action plan, with reference to gaps identified via the self-assessment matrix, more aspirational goals and overarching Council vision, plans and strategies.
  
• Identify actions that will facilitate Council's progression to the next rating level, address existing gaps and align with the aims, objectives and aspirational goals of the plan. A list of potential actions is provided under each component of the Assessment Matrix, or Councils can develop their own. 
• Transfer or list actions under the appropriate heading on the Action Plan worksheet of the Matrix and add priorities, timelines, responsibilities, key performance indicators and monitoring periods for each action.

Council's goals and priorities for sustainable transport should be developed internally with the input of all staff with transport responsibilities and be achievable and measurable within set time frames.

One process Council could use is to imagine as a group what a sustainable transport future would look like for your council. Using this vision, identify goals, breaking them down into objectives that act as steps along the way. 

Action Plans are usually internal working documents with background information and prioritised actions to increase the sustainability of Council's transport approach. To write your Action Plan:

1. Incorporate the development of the Action Plan into relevant staff's workloads

2. Use either the brief Action Plan Template [PDF, 224KB] or detailed Action Plan Template [DOC, 372KB], which outlines how to:

• Incorporate background information (from Step 1) and goals (from Step 2)
• Choose actions to achieve these goals using the example Action Plan Table, and/or example action plans
• Identify staff responsibilities for actions
• Set priorities, timelines, and budget figures (where possible) for actions
• Establish a monitoring and review process and timeframe.

3. Many councils find that having a meeting or workshop (or two) to identify the actions, responsibilities, priorities and so on is extremely worthwhile.

4. Check over your draft Action Plan using the Self-Verification Checklist [PDF, 88KB] and circulate it to all relevant council staff for comment before finalising.

5. Have your mayor, council or CEO/General Manager sign off on the goals and objectives, the objectives, and the monitoring and review process.

As council progressively implements actions from its Action Plan, ensure you:

• Build tasks/actions into relevant staff/unit work schedules
• Incorporate actions into council budgets as relevant
• Progressively build the business case for action within council
• Actively pursue funding opportunities
• Regularly identify opportunities for new projects and actions through the monitoring and review process
• Work with other councils and stakeholders to implement actions
• Build political support by keeping councillors up to date
• Keep abreast of innovative product developments and broader developments in your state or territory.

By repeating the Gap Analysis [DOC, 460KB] or Self-Assessment Matrix [Excel 2.1MB] Council can benchmark their progress against the original assessment and identify areas of success and/or remaining gaps, thereby enabling Council to target future actions to priority areas. To undertake a comprehensive review and re-strategise:

1. Review your Sustainable Transport Action Plan noting the status of each action
2. Complete the Self-Assessment Matrix
3. Identify Remaining Gaps & Priorities, with reference to both the Action Plan and the Matrix
4. Identify any additions/changes to the aims, objectives and goals of the action plan that need to be incorporated
5. Identify New Actions
6. Prepare a Sustainable Transport Progress Report (brief [PDF, 224KB]; detailed [DOC, 188KB])

Full instructions are available on the 'Guidelines' sheet of the Self-Assessment Matrix [Excel, 2.1MB]

Identifying new actions and communicating the revised Plan to Council and the community ensures that sustainable transport issues continue to be addressed in an effective manner over the long-term.  This should not be considered a final step but rather marks the point at which the implementation and on-going development of the Action Plan becomes a cyclical process, embedded in Council operations.