The NSW Minns Labor government this week claims to have delivered on a major election commitment with the release of its Hunter Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, which it describes as “a long-term strategy to guide the region’s transport future and support growth for the next two decades”.
According to the government release the Hunter now has a clear set of long-term priorities based on evidence, data and collaboration, For the first time in over a decade, saying that elected representatives from all levels of government and across parties having participated in its development.
The plan sets out 49 short and medium-term actions across public and active transport, roads and freight to support what is described as one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, following what is described as “extensive consultation with government, community and industry”.
The government said that this plan sets a framework to enable long-term, well-planned decision making and investment in the infrastructure that can support improved and more efficient transport and logistics in the fast growing region.
The government says that it identifies that over the next five years, 30,000 new homes are expected to be built across the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, while the Hunter’s population will grow by almost a quarter over the next 15 years.
It also identifies actions to support growth with better transport connections, including upgrades to more than 20 key road corridors, including Newcastle Link Road, Cessnock Road and the Morisset M1 interchange, along with more reliable and frequent services on the Hunter Rail Line, and increased bus services.
The Plan also considers the Hunter’s role in renewable energy, identifying critical freight links from the fast growing Port of Newcastle to Renewable Energy Zones, and recommends improving safety with bridge replacements and Pacific Highway intersection upgrades.
The Minns Government also said it is already acting to boost spending in the Hunter region, and says that this reform provides a blueprint to inform future investment decisions.
“The Hunter is powering New South Wales, and its transport network needs to keep pace with that growth and ambition,” said NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley.
“This Plan provides the framework to do just that,” the minister added.
“It’s about making it easier for people to get to work, school, university, the airport and the shops, while also keeping freight moving to support our industries and our economy,” she said.
“For locals, it means more reliable public transport, safer roads and better connections between our towns and our growing suburbs.”
“For businesses, it means confidence that the Hunter’s transport links are being planned for the long-term, backing jobs and giving industry the certainty it needs,” said Minister Catley.
NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said that the this is a long-term vision for the future of Hunter transport.
“The Hunter region has the most people living in it today of any area in NSW outside Sydney, and by 2041 it is expected another 185,000 people will live here so we need to get planning and transport priorities for that growth right now,” said Minister Atkinson.
“This Plan will inform long term decision making and the Minns Government has already started this process and is not sitting on its hands,” the Minister added.
“We heard loud and clear that public transport is a key priority and this Plan identifies opportunities to explore future transport options, some of the initiatives are already in planning while others are new and will require further investigation to determine their feasibility,” she said.
The Plan was finalised following a 10-week formal consultation period inviting the public to have their say and during development and public consultation Transport for NSW received more than 1500 pieces of feedback that helped inform the Plan.
The statement said that there were almost 600 responses from residents, businesses,public and active transport users as well as key stakeholders such as local councils, other government agencies, peak bodies, community organisations and transport operators.
Transport for NSW says it is committed to providing annual status updates on the initiatives and undertaking a review of the Plan every five years to ensure long-term outcomes are realised.
