Wollongong councillors have slammed the state government's draft transport plan for the region, saying it fails to address a number of issues facing the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Transport for NSW has released its draft Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan, which sets out its strategy for the next 20 years.
At this week's Wollongong City Council meeting some councillors expressed disappointment with the contents of the plan, including Cr Janice Kershaw, who said the draft plan was "terrible" and "an absolute shocker".
"They haven't given any consideration of the significance of Wollongong, or the significance of the development that happens here," Cr Kershaw said.
She voiced frustration with Wollongong's bus and train network, with the time it took to travel by public transport and the locations at which services did not stop.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the plan was "lacking in insight and vision".
Cr John Dorahy said the council needed to be more forceful in its submission to the plan, which councillors endorsed with some variations.
He said Wollongong was "in the outhouse dunny" compared to Newcastle's transport, and more lobbying was needed to get what it deserved, including improved rail and road links.
Councillors spoke of the need for a rail link with western Sydney. Cr Tania Brown said an estimated 46,000 people would commute from the Illawarra to Sydney by 2041, of which 32,000 would travel by car to western and central Sydney, adding burden to the road system.
She said it was worth the council emphasising in its submission the need for a rail connectivity to western Sydney for this reason.
Cr Mithra Cox was pleased to see the inclusion of the South West Illawarra Rail Link in the council's submission, which she said would boost economic growth, and said the train line
Cr Cox said Wollongong needed a transport system that reflected it was a city with a metro core, peak-hour public transport services, and late night options to support the late night economy.
She also raised the importance of being able to travel within Wollongong in 20 minutes, something Cr Cameron Walters said was key to the city's identity as a liveable city.
Cr Jenelle Rimmer was supportive of the council's submission, but requested it be made clearer that the council expected level crossings to be removed, and not upgraded, because they posed a safety issue and held up traffic.
Cr Ann Martin was concerned there was little reference to the need for on-off ramps on the Princes Motorway at Emerson Road and Kanahooka Road in the submission.
Cr Martin said this was critical infrastructure to support new communities around West Dapto.
Cr Cath Blakey, who described the draft plan as "totally undercooked", also spoke of West Dapto and how the absence of public transport corridors would force the eventual 50,000 to 70,000 residents of the area onto the roads.
Councillors raised issues with congestion on roads such as Memorial Drive and Lawrence Hargrave Drive, and how better public transport could relieve that.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
