Contents INTEGRATED TRANSPORT DIRECTION Executive Summary ...................................... 3 Introduction ................................................... 4 Challenges ................................................... 13 Trends .......................................................... 14 Aims and Objectives ................................... 18 Context ......................................................... 19 Methodology ................................................ 27 Structure Plan .............................................. 28 Findings ....................................................... 32 Photo courtesy of TravelSmart Australia Key Directions ............................................. 84 T1 Plan and manage the shire’s transport network to meet community needs ........ 86 T2 Facilitate delivery of a cohesive transport network .................................................... 91 T3 Promote and enhance sustainable travel choices .................................................... 97 T4 Plan for an integrated transport network for new areas .............................................. 101 T5 Encourage quality transport outcomes . 103 Work to be Done ........................................ 105 Monitoring & Review ................................. 106 References ................................................. 107 Glossary ..................................................... 109 COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Integrated Transport Direction was This document may be reproduced for adopted by Council on 11 May 2010 Minute personal, in-house or non-commercial use. No.282. Reproduction of this document for any other purpose shall only be permitted with the written permission of the Hills Shire Council. This document represents the collaboration of information from a number of sources, including Government Plans and Policies, and DISCLAIMER plans and policies of the Hills Shire Council. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of printing. The Hills Shire Council disclaims all liability in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon any part of this document. The maps provided in this document are general in nature and should not be relied upon. This document is subject to change without notice. Executive Summary INTEGRATED TRANSPORT DIRECTION The Integrated Transport Direction provides Transport, in particular public transport, is the overall strategic context for planning and considered to be one of the key issues facing management of the transport system the Hills Shire, and the entire North West throughout the Shire and how residents move Region of Sydney. The development of a about in response to their daily activities. sensible range of transport options that are efficient, accessible and connected is needed It focuses on the need to manage and balance to achieve balanced urban growth in the Shire urban growth so that residents can get to and improve quality of life. where they need to go and have a range of integrated travel options under a backdrop of This document sets out five key directions to growth to 2031. give Council and stakeholders a clear strategy to develop and manage the Shire’s transport system that meets the needs of the community. KEY DIRECTIONS AND OBJECTIVES T1 Plan and manage the Shire’s T3 Promote and enhance sustainable transport network to meet travel choices community needs . Enhance the attractiveness of the public • Ensure that planning and future transport network as a travel option. development supports the provision of an efficient transport network. Promote the availability and accessibility of alternative transport options. • Respond to the transport needs of population and employment growth in . Guide the supply and management of the Shire in an effective and timely parking to support sustainable transport manner. use. T2 Facilitate delivery of a cohesive T4 Plan for an integrated transport transport network network for new areas • Encourage major transport . Guide the planning and delivery of new infrastructure to assist movements at a transport facilities and services to support regional level. new areas. • Provide for transport infrastructure to T5 Encourage quality transport outcomes serve, support and connect local destinations. Contribute to the development of a transport network that is safe and accessible to all users. Ensure the protection of cultural heritage along transport corridors. 3 This document identifies the range of transport CHALLENGES AND TRENDS FOR THE solutions that are required to address transport SHIRE needs in the Shire. It addresses the various adjustments to land use zones and There are many challenges for the planning development controls, and outlines what is and management of transport in the Hills required to reinforce the provision of Shire- Shire. Transport network planning needs to wide transport infrastructure and improve the focus on providing an accessible, reliable, and functionality of town centres. sustainable service for a growing population and changing community needs. Achieving a viable, connected and less car- reliant community requires good planning and Challenges investment in reliable transport infrastructure, as well as acceptance and behavioural change Key challenges which can affect Council’s within the community. Reliance on car ability to achieve significant change in some transport alone will limit the growth and areas include: potential of the Shire. The absence of the North West heavy rail, integrated bus network • The absence of major public transport and a lack of road improvements is detracting infrastructure. from business confidence and is a factor when new businesses choose not to make the Hills • Limited data on demand for trips other their new home. than journey to work trips. The Integrated Transport Direction responds to • High levels of car dependency and travel demand, the limited public transport parking provision. options, the ability to influence travel choices and opportunities to improve outcomes in • Limited capacity to influence travel terms of safety and accessibility. behaviour. The formulation of the Integrated Transport • Constraints such as established road Direction involved a review of State networks, topographic and environmental Government policies, including the features. Metropolitan Strategy and Draft North West Subregional Strategy in addition to Council’s • Mismatch between characteristics and Community Strategic Direction and local skill set of the resident labour force strategy work, in particular that relating to compared to jobs available in the area. residential and employment lands development. The planning and delivery of an • Need for workable collaborations and integrated transport framework is important for partnerships with State Government and achieving sustainable population and business. employment growth, vibrant centres and connected communities. • Macroeconomic conditions and policies which can impact on travel affordability In order to provide some baseline data around and demand. transport infrastructure and behaviour, an Integrated Transport Study was undertaken by • The changing nature of environmental consultants SCAPE in August 2009 to inform and planning legislation at all levels of the development of the Integrated Transport government. Direction. The findings of this research have lead to the development of a Structure Plan Trends and an Urban Structure Plan to illustrate the findings and key directions of the Integrated Feedback provided in the preparation of the Transport Direction. Hills 2026 Community Strategic Direction indicated the community’s desire for business growth and employment opportunities, better public transport and improvements to traffic congestion. Trends that influence transport usage and require consideration in determining transport solutions in the Hills Shire include: 4 . Environmental awareness: There is an commuters. The trend is part of a longer increasing awareness within the community term global change in travel behaviour and of the need to reduce greenhouse gas Council needs to focus on infrastructure emissions and mitigate the effects of priorities that capitalise on changing travel vehicles on air quality. preferences. Rising fuel and energy prices: Rising . Lifestyle trends: The increasing fuel and energy prices will result in higher importance of centres as a location for costs for goods and services. Car small business and as a recreation, dependent communities such as those in entertainment and social destination have the Hills Shire are particularly vulnerable. made the Shire’s centres important This is reflected in the operating results of destinations. Council needs to continue to transport agencies such as City Rail and plan these centres to ensure they support State Transit that saw an increase in the range of uses needed by the patronage of 5.7% and 3% respectively, community. during the 2007-2008 period when fuel prices soared. Demographic change: The strong relationship between an area’s travel demand and demographic characteristics means there is a need to focus on alternative modes of travel and ease of access to support an ageing population as mobility declines. It is also important to respond to the travel habits of the Shire’s youth to ensure that current car based travel habits do not continue to dominate into the future. AN INTEGRATED TRANSPORT SOLUTION . Economic growth and change: Increased With the Shire