Evaluation

The Fairfax Media head office encourages active living through the sustainable commuting project, making it convenient for employees to walk or cycle to work or to use public transport for their daily commute. It also provides a gymnasium and fitness classes. The gym, along with provision of a range of high quality end-of-trip facilities for people walking and cycling to the office has helped encourage staff to increase workplace related activity levels. The success of these measures has been demonstrated by the fact that close to 1,000 out of 2,000 employees are registered for fitness classes and 320 now ride to work, compared with only 30 people at the previous location.

The Fairfax Media headquarters is a good example of a workplace that fulfils the PCAL design objectives for workplaces, namely to provide:

• well-designed and located workplaces which are accessible to public transport, walking and cycling networks
• easy access to alternative methods of travel to workplaces so that car trips for commuting and business are reduced
• infrastructure and facilities that encourage changes in travel behaviour.

The actions undertaken by Fairfax Media illustrate a number of the specific considerations set out in the PCAL workplace guidelines for promoting active living. These include:

• Make public transport an easy option, by planning clearly signed, safe (e.g. well-lit) and direct routes to public transport stops within a short walking distance of workplaces. Bus stops should be attractive, well maintained and secure with appropriate route and timetable information provided.

The office is located in close proximity to the Metro Light Rail service and to the 443 and 448 bus services. Bus stops are within a short walking distance of the office. The Metro Light Rail runs from Central Railway to Pyrmont every 10-15 minutes seven days a week.

Fairfax provides a direct incentive for staff to use public transport for their travel to work, by offering employees a 25% discount on all Metro Light Rail tickets and an even bigger discount if they purchase an annual travel pass ticket. Fairfax purchases the passes and the cost is deducted in small, interest-free installments through the payroll system. Fairfax is currently seeking tax deductibility for the work-related component of the annual public transport ticket to encourage an even greater take up of this option.

• Encourage access by all modes of transport through site layout that balances the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, buses as well as driver comfort and visibility.

Fairfax Media has chosen a site that provides convenient pedestrian connections to light rail and bus services, which connect to main City Rail train services, Sydney Buses services and nearby facilities. For cyclists, convenient access is provided to a secure basement parking area. A staff member who kayaks to work is also catered for.

• Provide secure, well-lit and sheltered bicycle parking within (or close to) buildings. Wherever possible, this should be within a building’s secure car park.

Existing bicycle parking facilities located within the basement car park of the office have been significantly upgraded. Bicycle-parking facilities, with racks accommodating up to 150 bicycles, now occupy two secure areas accessible via a swipe card. This combines high levels of security with easy and convenient access.

• Provide for the comfort of walkers and cyclists through the provision of end-of-trip facilities such as shower, changing and locker facilities. Additional equipment should be provided such as irons, hairdryers, rails for drying clothes, spare bicycle repair tools, or company umbrellas for use on rainy days. These facilities also benefit other building users.

Fairfax places high importance on end-of-trip facilities, advising that many cyclists value these more highly than cycling paths. Changing rooms include shower and locker facilities and are located on the ground floor next to the gym. The company is now planning to buy wider lockers that can adequately fit suits and shirts. Casual lockers are available for day use.

Additional services and equipment include a towel service, and a supply of spare clothes and toiletries in case these items are forgotten by staff. For cyclists, a dual-valve pump, spare parts and repair tools are also provided. The women’s changing room includes an iron, ironing board and hair dryers.

• Provide direct, safe and pleasant walking and cycling paths which are well signed to (and on) the company site, as described in the PCAL guidelines for walking and cycling routes.

Most cyclists who commute to work come from the south-eastern, inner western and lower north shore suburbs, perhaps reflecting the growth of the network of safe bicycle lanes in those areas. The staff intranet contains information about cycling routes and resources, including services provided to staff by a local bicycle shop, which is a corporate partner of Fairfax.

The location of the office provides staff with many opportunities for safe and pleasant walks before or after work, or during lunch breaks. Local parks include Ballaarat and Metcalfe Parks and Pyrmont Bay Park, and the harbour foreshore is less than five minutes walking distance from the office.

• Manage the location, supply and availability of parking to support walking, cycling and public transport. Provide car parking near to building entries for allocation to staff who carpool.

When Fairfax relocated to Pyrmont, free on-street parking was available. In order to create a disincentive for staff and visitors to drive to the precinct, the company worked with the City of Sydney Council to introduce metered parking. In the building itself, parking spaces were capped at the same number as in the previous CBD location to encourage the same number of people to use non-car modes of travel.

• Ensure that staff and visitors are aware of alternative ways of getting to the workplace through the publication of a Transport Access Guide (TAG). Be creative in how this information is publicised, such as on the back of business cards, the workplace website or in email footers.

The Sustainable Commuting Handbook, available on the staff intranet, ensures that staff know how to access the office by foot, bicycle, bus, train and light rail, and explains the process for obtaining annual travel passes.

Fairfax has also produced a Cycling Handbook 2009, which provides extensive information on cycling to work, the facilities and services provided by the company and guidelines for their use, information on insurance, the benefits of Bicycle NSW membership (including insurance), and services provided by a local bicycle shop. As a corporate cycling partner, the local bicycle shop provides spares, tools, service discounts, staff retail discounts as well as payroll deductions for staff wishing to purchase a bicycle. Fairfax also assists new cyclists to team up with someone who rides to work from their area, to share route knowledge and increase the confidence of new riders.

• Integrate a range of services (such as cafes, ATMs, and childcare) on-site or within walking distance to encourage linked trips.

A café and gym are provided within the building. Other shops and services within walking distance include convenience stores and restaurants.

• Ensure that the building design and site layout incorporates features which encourage walking. This includes making stairs attractive and easy to access, as well as opening-up pathways across buildings and sites. Open spaces should also be provided which support physical activity by staff.

The building is easily accessible for pedestrians entering from the street and the ground floor provides a welcoming environment for those accessing the building by foot. Stairways between floors are easily accessible for employees choosing to walk between floors rather than take the lift.

The relocation has also improved the opportunities for staff and clients to engage in physical activity before or after work, or during lunch breaks. Open space immediately adjacent to the office includes Ballaarat and Metcalfe Parks.

• Integrate workplaces into mixed use urban centres, well served by public transport. Avoid dispersed, isolated locations because they can only be reached by car and incur significant community and environmental costs.

The Fairfax Media office is located in a mixed use area, well served by public transport and providing convenient access to services. The ability to access shops, restaurants and other essential services also helps staff members to reduce the number of trips that they take by private vehicle, as they are able to combine these activities with their commute by public transport, walking or cycling.