Sustainable Transport
Our increasing dependence on cars and road freight has significant environmental, social and economic impacts. For a more liveable, sustainable future we need to provide access for people and products in a way that has much less impact on the community.
We can do this by:
- Improving and promoting walking, cycling and public transport and changing our travel habits to reduce car use
- Managing freight transport including moving more by rail and reducing impacts of heavy truck traffic
- Making streets and stops safer, including lower traffic speeds and better security
- Reducing oil dependence and shifting to cleaner, renewable energy for transport
- Ensuring transport impacts are reflected in investment decisions and the costs users pay
- Planning in a more integrated, inclusive way to involve the community and link land use and transport
A Map For All Modes of Travel
Council has produced a revised version of the popular "Out and About in Leichhardt" map. A comprehensive map of the Leichhardt Council area which features road speed limits, off-road and on-road cycling routes, public transport routes, schools, recreational areas, community centres, key places of interest ... and much more.
The map was first produced in 2000 and has proven to be extremely popular with residents and visitors. The map is easy to read and packed with useful information. The maps are available, at no charge, to residents and visitors from Council's Citizen Service Centre or Council libraries. It is a valuable local resource that shows that much of the Leichhardt Council area is easily accessible by foot, cycle or public transport. Making the most of our vibrant community doesn't have to involve a car! SO GET OUT AND ABOUT!
To view the map click on 
Out and About in Leichhardt - 2,888 KB. For more information phone 9367 9000.
Cycling in Leichhardt
Cycling is a healthy, cheap, fun form of transport and recreation that most people can enjoy. It is the ideal transport mode for short trips of 1- 5 kilometres which are over a third of all journeys. What’s more, Leichhardt is an ideal cycling territory. The scenery is pleasant, the hills occasional and the quiet back streets plentiful.
Leichhardt Council has developed and is continually upgrading its range of on-road and off-road cycling facilities to make cycling easier and safer. These works are implemented as per Council’s Bike Plan. In addition to the cycle network, Council also installs bicycle parking and signage and creates social programs to promote cycling. Look out for the ‘Big Bike Day’ held during Bike Week in September every year. Follow this link for more information about cycling in Leichhardt.
Bikes and public transport – perfect for longer journeys
For longer journeys it is easy to take your bike on a train, the light rail or a ferry. Bicycles can be carried free on the Sydney Metro Light Rail or on Sydney Ferries at any time. Bicycles are free on CityRail trains during off-peak hours. During peak periods (6-9am and 3.30-7.30pm) you’ll need to buy a concession fare ticket for your bicycle, as well as a ticket for yourself.
Public Transport
Plan your public transport by simply calling the Transport Infoline on 131500 or visit www.131500.com.au
Leichhardt Council has an informative public transport brochure including a map and detailed information about how to get around using a range of public transport services in Leichhardt. Check out the “Out and About in Leichhardt” brochure.
Buses
Leichhardt Council area is well serviced by Sydney Buses providing both city and cross regional services.
Trains
The closest CityRail train station for Leichardt, runs on the Inner West and Bankstown Line (purple line) providing access to a range of CityRail destinations. You can walk to Petersham in 15-20 minutes from Leichahrdt Town Hall, cycle there in 5 minutes or catch a 445 bus that stops outside the station.
Light Rail
Metro Light Rail offers clean, green and convenient travel to the city. It is accessible for prams, wheelchairs and pushbikes. The Light Rail provides daily accses to Pyrmont, Darling Harbour and Central Station.
Ferries
Sydney Ferries operate regular services from Circular Quay (wharf 5) to various wharfs on the Balmain Peninsula.
Walking
Transport Active Guides
TAGS are customised maps that show you how get to a particular site or venue in Leichhardt LGA using sustainable transport. They are a way of encouraging staff and visitors to reduce unnecessary car use to get to a location. Council has developed TAGS for its principal facilities.
Walking
Walking is a great option for short trips – it costs nothing, reduces stress, improves fitness, is good for local businesses, leads to improved personal safety in public places and doesn’t degrade the environment. Short car trips contribute disproportionately to air pollution: the more they can be avoided, the better for us all. Walking to your destination is not only a better choice for the state of the environment but it is a healthier choice for you.
Walking and well-being
Walking is one of the most effective aerobic exercises. Just 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, like walking, on most days of the week can help you maintain good health. You can make up these 30 minutes by leaving the car at home for short trips. Incorporate regular exercise into daily tasks such as shopping, attending local events, visiting friends and family and commuting. Try walking your children to school or getting off the bus a few stops earlier.
If you don’t already do much walking you might be surprised at how much distance you can cover in 30 minutes! For instance, did you know that you can walk at a moderate pace from Leichhardt MarketPlace Shopping Centre to Balmain’s Gladstone Park and cafes in just 50 minutes – nearly all of it along the foreshore!
Walk Back in Time
Brochures outlining historical buildings and walks are available at newsagents and bookshops in East Balmain and the Balmain Watchhouse, home of the local historical society which is open weekends and regularly hosts art exhibitions.
Sydney Harbour Circle Walk
The Sydney Harbour Circle Walk explores west of the Harbour Bridge to Hunters Hill. This walk winds along parts of the foreshore into bays and onto headlands, through bush, along historic areas and over grand bridges. The 26 kilometre walk can be linked by public transport, and a fit person can walk this in approximately 10 hours. More information about the walk and a detailed map can be found at Sydney Harbour Circle Walk.
Use Your Car Wisely
Choosing the most environmental car options
Air pollution such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, benzene and many others are emitted into the environment by motor vehicles. These air pollutants contribute to urban air quality problems, for example photochemical smog and adversely affect human health and the health of other living things.
Taking time to choose the most environmental car option helps to reduce the air pollution and greenhouse gases emmissions. To help you choose the best option look on the Australian Greenhouse Office website has a Green Vehicle Guide (GVG) that provides information about the environmental performance of new light vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass) sold in Australia.
Another way to offset your cars emission is to join the Greenfleet program. Greenfleet is a non-profit organisation, with a program that provides a simple way to reduce car's impact on the environment. For a small price ($40) Greenfleet plants native trees on your behalf that will help to create a forest and absorb the greenhouse gases that your car produces in one year (based on 4.3 tonnes of CO2 for the average car*).
Car Sharing
Car sharing gives you instant 24 hour access to a fleet of brand new cars that are parked locally. Go to the website for more information at Go Get or call 9519 4929.