It’s no secret Wollongong is growing and how people travel around our city will be an integral part into the future. We’ve drafted a Wollongong Integrated Transport Strategy to support our city’s growth and we’re inviting community for feedback.
The Strategy looks at how we can plan, invest, and improve transport infrastructure and services across Wollongong to support how we want people to move around.
Our existing plans focus on transport in a site-specific or transport-specific way, like the Cycling Strategy 2030, the Wollongong Pedestrian Plan, and various Town Centre Masterplans.
This 10-year Strategy takes a different approach and looks at transport city-wide and how we can work with Transport for NSW, and our community to ensure safe, sustainable, accessible, and affordable transport options are available for our growing and diverse city.
The Strategy aligns with our long-term of having affordable and accessible transport. It was informed by Council’s existing strategy and planning documents and feedback received from several workshops with key stakeholders and neighbourhood forums.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said that to ensure our city is liveable now and into the future, the Strategy focuses on a shift away from the approach of predict and provide planning to one of a vision and validate.
“The Draft Wollongong Integrated Transport Strategy recognises that the current transport network was developed by focusing on historical trends of the community’s transport needs. This has resulted in a road network that prioritises privately used cars,” Cr Bradbery said.
“Recent data collected by Council’s consultants has shown that 79% of our residents are using private cars for most of their trips, with 55% of residents using car travel for trips less than 1km. There’s an opportunity to reduce this number by supporting more sustainable options like walking, cycling or public transport.
“The Strategy looks forward to ensure that a range of viable transport options are available for our community so that private car use isn’t always the first choice.”
The Strategy outlines six goals; competitive public transport, everyday needs within 15 minutes, sustainable transport options, all ages and abilities can get around with ease, increased use of active modes and a connection to Country and sense of place.
Cr Bradbery said the Strategy’s goals and actions will help intervene the path we’re heading down. If we do nothing, it will result in increased congestion on our roads, longer journey times and higher spending on road upgrades.
“The Strategy’s call for change supports a connected and safe city to move around in. It looks to reduce our environmental impact, bring economic benefits, and acknowledge the Dhawaral Country we travel on every day,” he said.
“The Strategy has outlined actions we can take to achieve the goals. It includes building upon our transport links and providing education about topics like road safety and active transport benefits. We’ll also continue to work and advocate for our community with key agencies such as Transport for NSW to provide better public transport.”
Council manages transport networks across the city, and works closely with the State Government’s agency Transport for NSW on integrating Council-owned transport assets like local roads and pathways with State-managed roads and public transport services and infrastructure.
“Transport is an ongoing discussion and plays an important part in community life. So, I encourage residents to take part in the engagement and share their thoughts, whether it’s online or at one of our drop-in sessions,” Cr Bradbery said.
The exhibition is open until Monday 27 May 2024.
