A TravelSmart Officer helps local governments and major destinations (such as hospitals, universities and sporting arenas) discourage car use and encourage more walking, cycling and public transport use.  TravelSmart Officers work with the community and government bodies to encourage and promote smarter and more sustainable travel options.

Local governments are responsible for managing local road networks. Increasingly traffic, congestion, noise, pollution and demand for parking are a problem for many local Governments. A TravelSmart Officer can help local governments manage these problems.

Major destinations are increasingly trying to encourage people visiting their sites to use sustainable modes of transport. This can involve providing facilities for active transport or giving people the information they need to make more sustainable transport choices. TravelSmart Officers coordinate and implement these efforts.

TravelSmart Officers make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport by:

• Providing specialist knowledge about how to improve facilities for cycling, public transport and walking
  
  
• Organising community events
  
  
• Seeking grant funding
  
  
• Working with local schools, employers and institutions to achieve sustainable transport outcomes
  
  
• Creating positive media opportunities
  
  
• Instigating policy changes that favour active transport
  
  
• Running innovative behaviour change programs
  

The Department of Transport supports local governments with a TravelSmart Officer by:

• Providing seed funding when available to assist with employment costs
  
  
• Assisting with recruitment when required
  
  
• Running the TravelSmart Officer Network
  
  
• Hosting Regular Network meetings
  
  
• Providing Professional Development Opportunities – including an induction package