F6 Extension Stage 1
Submission from the Illawarra Business Chamber to Roads and Maritime Services
Illawarra Business Chamber Level 1, 87-89 Market Street Wollongong NSW 2500 (p) (02) 4229 4722 (e) [email protected]
27 July 2018
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Summary The Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC) welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to commence Stage 1 works of the F6 Extension and the opportunity to provide feedback on this proposal.
The IBC recognises that this consultation is focussed on the intended planning and delivery of Stage 1. Even so, this submission will highlight the benefits to be realised through bringing forward the planning and projected delivery of Stage 2 and Stage 3 works, and discuss the findings and projections detailed in the report Upgrading Road Connectivity Between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney (May 2018) commissioned by Illawarra First together with the NRMA and conducted by Veitch Lister Consulting (VLC), which in part addresses the F6 Extension.
Key Findings The IBC notes the significant benefits to be realised through advancing the timings for the complete F6 Extension, in addition to concurrent infrastructure works. Key findings of this submission, consistent with the aforementioned report, highlight the need for government to consider the F6 project in its entirety, and as complementing other works:
- Key Finding 1 Without intervention, congestion and travel times from the Illawarra to Greater Sydney will steadily increase and the cost of delays is estimated at $640 million per annum by 2031, impacting business and employment opportunities. - Key Finding 2 The F6 Extension Stage 1 will save commuters 6 minutes along the length of the new road, 12 minutes once Stages 2 and 3 are complete. - Key Finding 3 The total economic benefits of completing Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the F6 Extension are $677 million per year in 2031. Of this, the value to the Illawarra would be around $67 million per year. - Key Finding 4 Development of the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL) would yield economic benefits of $74 million per year, complementing the F6 Extension and improvements to the South Coast Line and further reducing congestion and improving travel times.
Recommendations Accordingly, the Chamber recommends that the NSW Government:
- Recommendation 1 Bring forward the planning and development of Stages 2 and 3 of the F6 Extension, noting the importance of extending planning to encompass transport between Greater Sydney and the Illawarra and South Coast and the benefits to be realised inside projected timeframes. - Recommendation 2 Consider short-term measures to relieve congestion along the Princes Highway (F6 Extension Stage 4 corridor) including (but not limited to) targeted intersection treatments at Heathcote Road, the Princes Highway at Engadine and Farrell Avenue and Rawson Avenue near Loftus. - Recommendation 3 Commit to concurrent planning and development of the full length of the F6 Extension and SWIRL.
The Chamber looks forward to working with government and other stakeholders to inform and progress these important considerations.
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Contents Summary ...... 2 Key Findings ...... 2 Recommendations ...... 2 Introduction ...... 4 Illawarra Business Chamber/Illawarra First ...... 4 Overview of the Illawarra ...... 4 Importance of road connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney ...... 5 F6 Extension (SouthConnex) ...... 6 Benefits to be realised ...... 6 Stage 1 – Arncliffe to President Ave ...... 9 Stages 2 and 3 – (President Ave to Taren Point) and (Taren Point to Loftus) ...... 9 Stage 4 – Loftus to Waterfall ...... 10 Concurrent development of the South West Illawarra Rail Link ...... 10 Attachments ...... 13
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Introduction This submission provides the comments and perspective of the Illawarra Business Chamber (IBC) on the F6 Extension Stage 1 (connecting the new M5 Motorway at Arncliffe to President Avenue at Kogarah), as articulated in the Project Overview document (June 2018).1
The IBC welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Project Overview, as well as the NSW Government’s commitment to commence Stage 1 works in Budget 2018-19, which is an important first step towards improving transport connectivity between the Sydney CBD, Southern Sydney and through to the Illawarra and South Coast.
The Chamber recognises that consultation is focussed on the intended planning and delivery of Stage 1 of the F6 Extension. However, the full benefit of travel savings for people travelling between Wollongong and the Sydney CBD – estimated to be 27 minutes – will only be realised when Stages 2 and 3 are delivered.
Accordingly, the Chamber’s submission will highlight the benefits to be realised through bringing forward the planning and projected delivery of Stage 2 and Stage 3 works, and discuss the findings and projections detailed in the report Upgrading Road Connectivity Between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney, which in part addresses the F6 Extension as a whole.
Illawarra Business Chamber/Illawarra First The IBC is the Illawarra region’s peak business organisation and is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes maximise their potential. Through initiatives such as Illawarra First, the IBC promotes the economic development of the Illawarra through evidence-based policies and targeted advocacy. The Chamber is a Division of the NSW Business Chamber – a founding member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Illawarra First membership comprises a select group of leading businesses in the Illawarra, sharing a commitment to driving the development and prosperity of the Illawarra.2 Through their leadership and direction, the Chamber has commissioned research on road and rail connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney, which is referenced in this submission.
Overview of the Illawarra The Illawarra region lies immediately south of the Sydney Metropolitan area, with its economic centre in Wollongong, 85 kms south of the Sydney CBD. The region, defined by the five LGAs of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee:
- is the third largest economy in NSW behind Sydney and Western Sydney, contributing $25.6 billion to the state’s economy each year, - is an increasingly diverse economic region, with over 27,000 businesses, of which 96% are small businesses, - has a workforce of some 177,000 which has also shown steady growth in recent years,
1 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services, F6 Extension – Stage 1,
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- contributes in excess of $16 billion in goods and services to the NSW economy, - is home to over 455,000 people and an expected population of about 525,000 by 2036, and - plays a key role in the state economy through its traditional manufacturing base and thriving ICT, education, tourism, construction, health and aged care industries.3
Importance of road connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney Transport connectivity between Greater Sydney and the Illawarra is an issue of fundamental importance to the region, which constrains economic growth, opportunities and the lived experience of its residents. Recognising the importance of this issue, Illawarra First and the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) commissioned Veitch Lister Consulting (VLC) to examine and provide a comprehensive analysis of the region’s transport connectivity, identifying the challenges facing the Illawarra over the next 20 years.
The Report, Upgrading Road Connectivity Between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney, makes recommendations to ensure the region remains connected to growing opportunities presented by Greater Sydney, including Western Sydney. The Report highlights the experience of some 30,600 commuters travel to Greater Sydney every day, 24,050 of these by road, and 15,800 travel from outside the region to jobs in the Illawarra.4
Improvements to the road network that address the issue of connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney are crucial, and VLC has calculated the costs of congestion and delays along that corridor as being expected to rise to $640 million by 2031.5
Table 1 – Commuting to Sydney from the Illawarra6
The IBC is concerned that the road network has not kept pace with the growth in traffic volumes, which is highlighted by the VLC Report. This is exacerbated by the region’s topography, meaning the region relies on one road corridor and one rail line to connect it to Greater Sydney. Without intervention, travel times and congestion will increase and impact business and employment opportunities.
Given the region’s reliance on connectivity to Greater Sydney, it is critical that road and rail transport connectivity be addressed if the potential of the region is to be realised. Indeed there is unrealised
3 REMPLAN; NSW Government, Department of Planning and Environment, 2016 NSW population and household projections,
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scope for the Illawarra to lessen the inherent constraints and inefficiencies of an overcrowded and expensive Sydney.
It is for these reasons that a completed F6 Extension, and a broader holistic approach to transport connectivity and planning, is of such importance to the Illawarra. The IBC calls on government for due recognition that the Illawarra, as the state’s third largest economy, is a Regional Economic Centre and warrants increased investment and access to government infrastructure funding, particularly that which flows from the proceeds of state asset sales and other windfall revenue, including the sale of NSW’s share in the Snowy River Hydro Scheme to the Commonwealth.
Key Finding 1 Without intervention, congestion and travel times from the Illawarra to Greater Sydney will steadily increase and the cost of delays is estimated at $640 million per annum by 2031, impacting business and employment opportunities.
F6 Extension (SouthConnex) The VLC Report on road connectivity between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney included consideration of the benefits and requirements for extending the F6 through to Loftus, and in turn how this could benefit the commuting population of the Illawarra and South Coast.7
Benefits to be realised VLC modelled the estimated time savings with sequential and concurrent delivery of each stage (see Table 2 and Figure 1, below). This shows a projected saving of 6 minutes along the length of the new road, which will become 12 minutes when Stages 2 and 3 come online. On completion of Stages 1-3, some 27 minutes travel time will be saved for commuters between Wollongong and the Sydney CBD.
Table 2 – Indicative travel times from Wollongong to Sydney CBD (assuming 2031 traffic volumes)8
7 Ibid. See 6.3.1 F6 Extension (SouthConnex), pp67-72; 2.5.3.1 F6 Extension (SouthConnex), p22. 8 Ibid., p71.
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Figure 1 – F6 Extension reductions in morning peak travel times9
Key Finding 2 The F6 Extension Stage 1 will save commuters 6 minutes along the length of the new road, 12 minutes once Stages 2 and 3 are complete.
Without the F6 Extension, congestion will increase along the road network, including the southern suburbs of Sydney. This is shown in Table 3 (below) – VLC modelling of traffic demand at certain points as each stage is delivered. It is important to note that President Avenue in Kogarah is expected to see an increase in traffic volumes that may necessitate additional works.
9 Ibid., p70.
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Table 3 – Impact of traffic demand on major roads following completion of F6 Extension Stages 1-310
VLC has also modelled the economic benefits to flow from Stages 1-3 of the F6 Extension at $677 million per year by 2031. See Table 2 (below). Further, government should consider the intangible benefits and lifestyle improvements for residents in the Illawarra and South Coast, who regularly commute or travel to Greater Sydney.
Table 2 – Economic benefits from F6 Extension (Stages 1, 2 and 3)11
10 Ibid., p69. 11 Ibid., p71.
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Key Finding 3 The total economic benefits of completing Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the F6 Extension are $677 million per year in 2031. Of this, the value to the Illawarra would be around $67 million per year.
Stage 1 – Arncliffe to President Ave The Chamber notes that the targeted date for the opening of the F6 Extension Stage 1 to traffic is 2024. This will result in a 6 minute saving along the length of the road, 12 minutes on completion of Stages 2 and 3. Assuming a mid-range expected timing for tunnelling construction along Stage 1, construction for Stage 1 is expected to take 2 to 3 years.
Stages 2 and 3 – (President Ave to Taren Point) and (Taren Point to Loftus) The Chamber notes that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has undertaken geotechnical investigations along the proposed routing of Stages 2 and 3 and that further work is now underway on design and engineering for the initial concept along this future stage of the road.12
The Chamber is concerned that the timelines for progressing with Stages 2 and 3 are some way into the future. Infrastructure Australia has included the F6 Extension (connectivity between Wollongong and Sydney CBD) for investigation in the 5-10 year period. The NSW Government is looking at a 10 year timeframe for investigation.13
It is anticipated that Stages 2 and 3 will be a combination of tunnel and surface roads, including a bridge over the Georges River. Assuming a mid-range expected timing for tunnelling construction, Stage 2 could take 3 to 4 years for construction and Stage 3 could take 3 to 5 years. The timing for delivery of these stages is pushed out further by a 2 to 3 leading time for planning, and associated pre- construction activities.
The IBC agrees that there is a compelling case for the F6 Extension, but notes the importance of progressing with planning and development of all three stages, so that the full time savings and economic benefits are realised.
The Chamber asks that RMS consider bringing forward the planning and development of Stages 2 and 3 of the F6 Extension, noting the importance of extending planning to encompass transport between Greater Sydney and the Illawarra and South Coast and the benefits to be realised inside projected timeframes.
Recommendation 1 Bring forward the planning and development of Stages 2 and 3 of the F6 Extension, noting the importance of extending planning to encompass transport between Greater Sydney and the Illawarra and South Coast and the benefits to be realised inside projected timeframes.
12 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services, F6 Extension – Stage 1, p11. 13 Illawarra Business Chamber, Upgrading Road Connectivity Between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney, p71.
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Stage 4 – Loftus to Waterfall The Chamber understands that Stage 4 (Loftus to Waterfall) is not being considered by the NSW Government.14 The corridor has been de-gazetted and would impact the Royal National Park south of Loftus.
Consistent with VLCs analysis of the requirements along this stretch of the Princes Highway, the Chamber recommends that a series of short-term measures to relieve congestion – targeted intersection treatments at Heathcote Road, the Princes Highway at Engadine and Farrell Avenue and Rawson Avenue near Loftus – be considered.
Recommendation 2 Consider short-term measures to relieve congestion along the Princes Highway (F6 Extension Stage 4 corridor) including (but not limited to) targeted intersection treatments at Heathcote Road, the Princes Highway at Engadine and Farrell Avenue and Rawson Avenue near Loftus.
Concurrent development of the South West Illawarra Rail Link The IBC considers the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL) an essential project for the Illawarra’s transport connectivity. See Figure 2 (below). The objectives of SWIRL are to:
1. Reduce the travel times between the Illawarra and Western Sydney, for both passengers and freight, 2. Ease congestion on the South Coast Line, 3. Provide a solution to Infrastructure NSWs identified requirement for maintaining long-term rail freight connectivity between Sydney and the Illawarra, noting that freight will be forced off the South Coast Line altogether by 2030 and the critical strategic importance of maintaining this link15, and 4. Reduce heavy vehicles from the key roads between the Illawarra and Sydney (M1 Motorway) and Western Sydney (Picton Road).
The rail link would connect the Main South Line (at Maldon) and the Moss Vale-Unanderra dedicated freight line at Dombarton. The 7 km rail link from Dombarton along the Moss Vale-Unanderra Line to the junction of the South Coast Line would require electrification.
SWIRL would dramatically shorten the travel times to Western Sydney, thus attracting patronage from the South Coast Line and to effect a mode shift from cars. The proposed freight operation is also likely to attract freight from the road transport, thereby reducing the number of heavy commercial vehicles on the road network.16
The impact of SWIRL on the roads of the Illawarra has been modelled by VLC, showing a reduction on car demand would lead to reduced congestion and travel times on the road network. VLC modelled and analysed the benefits that SWIRL may up to $74 million per year.17 This is consistent with the $70.4 million per annum calculated by SMART.
14 NSW Government, Roads and Maritime Services, F6 Extension – Stage 1, p11. 15 Infrastructure NSW, State Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2038,
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Key Finding 4 Development of the South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL) would yield economic benefits of $74 million per year, complementing the F6 Extension and improvements to the South Coast Line and further reducing congestion and improving travel times.
The Chamber considers that SWIRL would complement the F6 Extension and should be considered for concurrent planning and development. Increasing the capacity and efficiency of rail from the Illawarra to Greater Sydney will address congestion along the road network.
Recommendation 3 The Chamber recommends that the NSW Government commit to concurrent planning and development of the full length of the F6 Extension and SWIRL.
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Figure 2 – South West Illawarra Rail Link18
18 Illawarra Business Chamber, Upgrading Rail connectivity between Illawarra and Sydney,
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Attachments As referenced in this submission, the Chamber asks that RMS consider and utilise the following documents:
A. Upgrading Road Connectivity Between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney (May 2018).19 B. Upgrading Rail Connectivity Between Illawarra and Sydney (August 2017).20
19 Illawarra Business Chamber, Upgrading Road Connectivity Between the Illawarra and Greater Sydney. 20 Illawarra Business Chamber, Upgrading Rail Connectivity Between Illawarra and Sydney.