Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Introduction

Action for Public Transport (NSW) Inc. is a transport advocacy group which has been active in Sydney since 1974. We promote the interests of beneficiaries of public transport - passengers and the wider community alike.

This submission relates to the draft plan presented at https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/draft-wollongong-integrated-transport-strategy, accessed 22 May 2024.

Discussion

Overall, APTNSW approves of the general direction of recommendations, but considers that many of the recommended actions should be taken further.

Many of the recommendations deal with matters of urban design and active transport provision which in general APTNSW agrees with. Specifically the ideal of making residential and other streetscapes attractive and permeable enough to encourage walking and therefore local, shorter trips. A good example is the recommendation for Princes Hwy at Towradgi (p.68). Without commenting on that particular location, walkable environments generally support public transport and vice versa.

The overall geography of the Wollongong region means that urban development is in a relatively narrow belt. This linear form is an advantage for good public transport provision, as it encourages investment and intensification in a smaller number of routes, and can give public transport the best chance to compete in time and convenience terms with car travel. An exception to this is the breaks at major points, visible in many of the Strategy's maps, for large areas of parkland, industrial zoning or the mouth of Lake Illawarra. However the existing electrified main line provides a strong public transport spine with potential to intensify its use (though having to share passenger traffic with strong freight traffic).

Recommendations

Following are our recommendations, noting where they align with those of the Strategy. They relate to a range of time scales and levels of investment.

Illawarra line rail frequency: This needs to be significantly increased. Between Sydney and Wollongong, frequency currently is half of that between Sydney and Central Coast - hourly off-peak vs twice hourly. A vital work to improve capacity would be duplication of the Clifton tunnel near Coalcliff. (More Trains More Services p.13)

Public transport from Sydney has suffered since a Baird government directive to not consider public transport alternatives to the F6 tollway: see http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/dont-touch-rail--10-billion-f6-extension-directive-revealed-20170407-gvgbon.html.

High-speed rail (HSR) Sydney-Wollongong: The impact of such a link must be considered in the longer term. It is likely to be a significant part of current federal government planning for introductory HSR investments. (I.e. a strategy for links Newcastle / Sydney / Wollongong / Canberra in advance of potential extension to Brisbane or Melbourne.)

It would improve residential and job opportunities for people in both cities. Moreover it would attract commuting trips which would feed into the local public transport system at the Wollongong end. A new alignment is most needed for the section Waterfall to Thirroul; and potentially through St George and Sutherland regions also.

Public transport corridor from NSW Health Precinct / Wollongong station to foreshore: agree with recommendation (Action Plan ID 07 p.76) that this be developed, potentially light rail for maximum impact, and add to major trip generators a northwest extension to Wollongong University.

Public transport corridor Wollongong - Port Kembla - Windang - Shellharbour - Shellharbour Junction: Action Plan ID 06 p.75 mentions this. A very desirable goal for strategic planning, to link parts of the region on eastern side of Lake Illawarra. Depending on technology, could potentially make some use of Port Kembla branch railway. The currently-proposed southern terminus of Oak Flats might be added to with service / branch to Shellharbour Junction station, aiding access to rail services to Kiama and Bomaderry.

SWIRL (South West Illawarra Rail Link, p.62 etc): APTNSW supports development of this for both freight and passengers. It has the potential to massively improve linkages to the Sydney region, and lessen isolation of Wollongong by lessening vulnerability to track closures from natural disasters and periodic trackwork.

Bus services: Through-routing across Wollongong CBD (p.57) is to be encouraged . It can improve fleet utilisation and levels of service, as at least some passengers are likely to be making the through journey. Bus stops should be designed with the greatest possible legibility (making it clear to all street users where the bus route goes) and user amenity including shelter and real-time service information.

New Mount Ousley interchange: Road freight issues such as over-sized vehicles should not preclude construction of a pedestrian /cycle overbridge in this interchange, which has had wide support from both Council and the community. The urban strategy should make it quite clear that the use by big trucks of Bourke and Corrimal streets is not acceptable.