Sydney's growing transport crisis regularly makes headlines: car and bus congestion in the CBD; unreliable and overcrowded trains and buses; and the urgent need for investment in our public transport system. Every commuter, every public transport user, every motorist, every cyclist and every pedestrian understands that the City is fast heading for gridlock if we don t confront the situation as a matter of urgency and make some critical long term decisions about replacing and upgrading our aged transport infrastructure.

Patronage on public transport and road use has increased significantly in recent years, with continued employment and population growth in Sydney CBD and inner suburbs. Our existing system is already at capacity and cannot cope with projected future growth.

Sydney is Australia's pre-eminent global city and the powerhouse of the national economy _ and proud of it! Our status as the country's number one city and our capacity to drive continued economic development, and meet the demands of a growing population is being put at risk by our failing transport infrastructure.

While transport is essentially a State Government responsibility, the Council has a responsibility to represent the interests of the CBD and inner suburbs within our boundaries and advocate for investment in improved infrastructure. It is in the interests of business and residents as well as those who work in or visit our magnificent city to have ready access to convenient, efficient, comfortable and frequent transport into and around the city centre.

Transport shapes a city, and an aging system provides us with a great opportunity to consider the impact _ and how we can really influence the way Sydney develops over the next 50 years and beyond through decisions we make now. The answer is NOT more of the same _ MORE cars and MORE buses choking our narrow CBD streets is just unworkable. We now have an opportunity to look at the experience in other cities around the world and learn from them, and develop a fresh view of how we can make the most of our city.

The time is right to commit to a new mass transit system in inner Sydney. The State Government is already spending billions of dollars on road tunnels and toll roads - and further entrenching our dependence on road transport. Investment in a new mass transit system would encourage more people to leave their cars at home and reduce traffic; allow designated cycleways and create wider, more pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and public places, as well as having significant environmental benefits.

Council and the State Government established the Inner Sydney Transport Working Group (ISTWG) in early 2004. The Group is jointly chaired by the Minister for Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources and myself and includes representatives from RailCorp, State Transit Authority, Sydney Buses, RTA, SHFA, Treasury and DIPNR.

It is expected that the ISTWG will finalise a draft Inner Sydney Transport Strategy for submission to the State Cabinet during 2005. The Working Group has also initiated a study into the impact of forecast growth in patronage on buses and traffic constraints in the inner Sydney area.

As part of the development of a City of Sydney Integrated Transport Strategy incorporating mass transit, cross city buses linking neighbourhoods, as well as cycling and pedestrian strategies, a study on mass transit was undertaken. A report was prepared by Glazebrook and Associates and Martin Walsh and Associates in order to promote discussion and highlight the compelling case for immediate action.

The Glazebrook report is attached. It draws on 49 studies of mass transit options done by NSW Government agencies and others since 1994. The report has also drawn on a landmark study by Dr Jeff Kenworthy and others that evaluated mass transit systems in over 100 cities around the world.

The Glazebrook report recommends:

• light rail as the most appropriate mass transit system for the CBD routes and for five key corridors linking the city with the inner suburbs from Bondi to Parramatta;
• reorganising bus routes to act as feeders and to increase the number of cross regional bus services;
• limiting parking levels in the CBD in commercial parking stations at current levels and providing incentives to minimise parking provided in new developments;
• providing additional park and ride opportunities at strategic locations, especially on the light rail routes to encourage car drivers to use public transport;
• providing wider footpaths and cycle lanes in city streets and other locations with the light rail network;
• adding at least one kilometre of pedestrianised streets to the city centre by 2021 and;
• supporting the development of car sharing, individual travel marketing schemes and other travel demand management strategies.

RESOLUTION:

That arising from consideration of a Minute by the Lord Mayor to Council on 21 February 2005 it be resolved that the report Integrated Transport Strategy Mass Transit be placed on Council's website and that Council officers consider the consultant's recommendations and report back to the Planning Development and Transport Committee with a discussion paper for public consultation.