The New South Wales Government has released the final Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan, which outlines how Transport for NSW will respond to changes in land use, population, and travel demand in the region over the next 20 years.
The plan has been developed together with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041.
Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance said an additional 100,000 people are expected to call the Illawarra-Shoalhaven home within 20 years, so it is important that the right infrastructure is in place to support the region’s growth.
“There are 71 initiatives in the updated Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan, including promoting more journeys by walking, cycling and public transport, and improving connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney,” Constance said.
Regional Transport and Roads Minister Paul Toole said community feedback had helped shape the plan for a stronger public transport and road network across the region.
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“The number of initiatives has increased from 58 in the draft plan to 71 in the final plan as a result of feedback received from the community, including the Transport Connected Bus Program for Nowra and Bomaderry which is rolling out real-time tracking on the region’s bus services,” Toole said.
“The plan aims to reduce the number of crashes on local roads and better use technology to support a safer, more sustainable and accessible transport network, delivering infrastructure and services that will move the local community for generations to come.”
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said Illawarra residents will benefit from improved public transport connectivity, between Greater Sydney and Wollongong, along with safety improvements on key roads, including the recently announced Mount Ousley interchange.
“Residents are looking forward to a boost to rail services between Wollongong and the Sydney CBD through the More Trains, More Services program, along with an investigation into improving bus connections between Wollongong and Appin, and Picton and Campbelltown,” Evans said
“The final plan also includes delivery of a 30 km/h zone in Helensburgh town centre to improve pedestrian safety, and proposes investigations into safety and reliability upgrades for Appin Road.”
Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said residents would benefit from the $1.9 billion investment in the Princes Highway Upgrade Program, including the upgrade of the Jervis Bay Road intersection, the delivery of the Milton-Ulladulla bypass, and the upgrade of the corridor between Jervis Bay Road and Sussex Inlet Road.
Transport for NSW will report on initiatives progress annually and undertake a review of the plan every five years.