Kilometres. Blacktown. Penrith. Parramatta. Liverpool Bankstown. Campbelltown

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1 Kilometres Penrith Blacktown Parramatta Liverpool Bankstown Campbelltown

2 accessibility outcomes Legend Outcomes targeted in Western Sydney are: public transport that is accessible throughout Western Sydney defined transit corridors that provide public and private transport links to major activity areas within the region urban areas structured to make public transport, walking and cycling more attractive and viable while moderating car use major employment areas that have excellent access to the major road and rail network for freight movement. 29

3 accessibility access in western sydney Better accessibility is the key to change in Western Sydney. While the railway lines to the west and southwest created the original impetus for urban development in Western Sydney, over time development has tended to move further away. There has been no competitive alternative to the private car, with many new suburbs having poor access to public transport. Affordable housing has often been isolated from centres and poorly serviced by public transport. Yet, because of its affordability, it has attracted disadvantaged families who most need reliable access to centres, services and public transport. This has imposed additional costs on such families and offset much of the benefit of affordable housing. Residents of Western Sydney often have complex travel patterns. This has been encouraged by the diversity of the locations of activities, low development densities, absence of public transport alternatives and the development of retailing in out of centre locations. Concentration of services and facilities in locations that can be serviced by public transport will increase accessibility. People will use public transport when it takes them where they want to go quickly and at the right time. The Greater Western Sydney Public Transport Strategy sets key strategic directions for the provision of an improved public transport system. The implementation of the Strategy will achieve many of the outcomes essential to improvements in equity, accessibility, economic growth and environmental quality in Western Sydney. Long-term planning for access improvements is an essential factor in achieving results. Western Sydney was able to benefit from funding offered under the Building Better Cities Program because the planning for strategic access improvements was already in place. This funding was a catalyst for the construction of the Cumberland y -link, the Blacktown bus/rail interchange, Parramatta Station upgrading and widening of Sunnyholt Road to include a public transport lane. Planning needs to be done for local centres that are a significant generator of trips in Western Sydney. They need local access studies to enable identification of the actions that are essential and achievable and can make a real difference to the accessibility of local centres. Local access studies have already been carried out for Parramatta and Liverpool. Access to Parramatta Improving access to Parramatta is a key to facilitating the growth of jobs and services in Western Sydney. Parramatta is, like the City of Sydney, a focus of the road network and public transport routes. Recent improvements to Parramatta railway station and the new, direct Cumberland link from Parramatta to the Southwest line have improved public transport access. Further investment in transport infrastructure to make Parramatta accessible from most of Sydney, not just Western Sydney, will further encourage the cycle of job growth in Parramatta. 30

4 Initiatives for Parramatta Centre Improve public transport links to Parramatta and improve the mode split to 60% in favour of public transport. provide a Parramatta-to-Chatswood rail link provide a Parramatta-to-Homebush public transport link over Duck River and along Grand Parade upgrade the Richmond rail line develop the Baulkham Hills/Parramatta/ Liverpool public transport link improve links from the M4.

5 Initiatives for Western Sydney Orbital Support construction of the Orbital as an essential infrastructure requirement independent of a decision on the Second Sydney Airport. prepare a freight study for Western Sydney review the role of the proposed Prospect Arterial reservation in conjunction with the assessment of the Orbital investigate the provision of a public transport link to the Central Western Sydney Employment Area incorporate and implement a public transport route in the Orbital alignment locate the Orbital ramps to service the Central Western Sydney Employment Area and other industrial areas. Ensure that the Orbital minimises land take from the open space corridor and includes measures to restore connections for pedestrians, cyclists and flora and fauna between severed sections of the corridor. locate the Orbital on the western side of the open space corridor at Hoxton Park to avoid impacts on scenic and vegetation values and residential areas Provide green bridges and fauna pathways across the Orbital route.

6 accessibility transport supports employment Western Sydney needs a first-rate freight system that supports business and the movement of goods. The Western Sydney Orbital is a major new road proposal that will link the M5 Motorway at Prestons, Liverpool and then continue to the M2 Motorway at West Baulkham Hills. In conjunction with the M5 East extension, the Orbital will give Western Sydney excellent road access to and from Sydney and Kingsford Smith Airport. These roads will be a catalyst for development in Western Sydney. The Orbital will form part of the national highway system and requires Federal funding to proceed. It is an essential element of regional infrastructure that needs to proceed independently of a decision on the location of a second Sydney Airport. In terms of road transport, the intersection of the Orbital with the M4 at Eastern Creek will be one of the most accessible parts of Sydney, and a natural distribution hub for Sydney, especially for freight going to or from rural NSW. It will support the development of the Central Western Sydney Employment Area which already includes the Wetherill Park, Huntingwood, Arndell Park industrial areas, currently employing about 35,000 people. The development of major road infrastructure such as the Orbital also provides the opportunity to address public transport improvements along its corridor. The route of the Orbital seeks to take advantage of the Eastern Creek/Horsley Park/Hoxton Park corridors. The route must be defined to minimise its impact on the regional open space corridor by reducing land take and minimising loss of connectivity between the various sections of the corridor. The positioning of the on-off ramps on the Orbital is important for maximising the advantages to be gained from the road. It is essential that these ramps support major employment areas. An interchange will be required to serve Wetherill Park. The NSW Freight Strategy is currently being prepared as a related document to Action for Transport It is expected to be finalised before the end of The Freight Strategy will reinforce the ability of the Orbital to support freight movements and reduce trip times and costs for road and rail freight. 31

7 accessibility cross - regional transport Liverpool - to - West Baulkham Hills Transitway A public transport route supporting Parramatta s role as a multipurpose destination and the development of residential areas in Hoxton Park and Rouse Hill has been identified since 1989 in the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No.18 for the Hoxton Park to West Baulkham Hills Public Transport Corridors. The route currently being refined creates two linked systems: south through Wetherill Park linking to Liverpool station along Hoxton Park Road a semicircular corridor north to West Baulkham Hills through Mungerie Park and onto Blacktown station. This route could be extended north past Rouse Hill Regional Park to Riverstone station. The NSW Government has announced that the southern part of this route will be developed as a transitway. Construction will begin on the first 2 km of the route behind Bonnyrigg Shopping Centre during late The development of a rapid transitway will increase accessibility along the route and provide the opportunity to develop nodes of higher density housing, services or employment around major stops. Careful planning will be required to identify opportunities to increase residential densities and cluster services. Liverpool Liverpool is one of the most rapidly growing parts of Australia. The Liverpool Access Study highlighted the deficiencies in the provision of public transport infrastructure to Liverpool from the release areas. Improvements to public transport to support the journey to work is also essential to reduce traffic congestion around Liverpool CBD. The new Liverpool Interchange will form part of a focus of activity with the old car park becoming an education precinct. Car parking will be accommodated at Warwick Farm. Penrith Penrith is an emerging focus of activity in Western Sydney and needs to be supported by the development of high quality transport links between the retail centre, hospital, university and entertainment areas. New residential areas provide opportunities to improve public transport links. For example, should development of the ADI site proceed, there is an opportunity to develop a transitway linking ADI to Penrith via Cranebrook and Penrith Lakes. Campbelltown and the Macarthur region Residents in the Macarthur region relate to Liverpool, Bankstown and Parramatta. Links to Sydney Airport are also important for industrial uses. A number of road and rail infrastructure initiatives are improving access from the Macarthur region to these areas, such as: quadruplication of the East Hills Line the connection of the East Hills Line via Sydney Airport to the CBD the Cumberland y -link new road construction north of Campbelltown. The upgrading of Camden Valley Way and the Northern Road would further improve crossregional links, particularly to Penrith and the M4 from the Macarthur region. Rouse Hill Development Area The Rouse Hill Development Area is now experiencing steady lot production. This new development is increasing the strain on the local road system. The development of these new suburbs needs to support the provision of public transport through design and density, e.g. Stanhope Gardens. Improvements to the public and private transport network are required to support further development in the area and the Mungerie Town Centre. 32

8 Develop and design planned public transit corridors in an integrated manner. undertake detailed feasibility assessment of implementing transitway facilities from Parramatta to the north-west - including Castle Hill, Riverstone and Mungerie Park - and implement if feasible begin bus services to parallel transitway corridor and implement transitway facilities on Liverpool-to-Parramatta corridor review land-use and planning controls to support transport corridors investigate extension of public transport links from Hoxton Park to Camden and Campbelltown make operational improvements to the public transport system, including bus/rail ticketing. Continue to implement the Liverpool Access Strategy. widen Hoxton Park Road - develop a draft Local Environmental Plan to reserve land for road widening and public transport lanes construct the Liverpool bus/rail interchange and increase parking at feeder stations construct a rail y link between the East Hills line and the Main Southern Line near Glenfield construct south-facing ramps at Ingleburn from the Hume Highway.

9 Improve access to principle centres of activity associated with Penrith Centre. upgrade The Northern Road between the M4 and the Great Western Highway develop a new station between Werrington and Kingswood provide for direct access off the M4 to the University of Western Sydney campus at Kingswood. Improve cross-regional links from the Macarthur region to Penrith, Parramatta and central Sydney. Action: Upgrade Camden Valley Way and The Northern Road. Upgrade regional transport systems to support the development of the Rouse Hill Development Area. upgrade Windsor Road and Old Windsor Road develop the public transport corridor connecting the Rouse Hill area with Parramatta, Blacktown and Riverstone.

10 implementation This strategy sets out the planning framework to promote the development of Western Sydney as a major region within the Greater Metropolitan Region. It builds on policies that the NSW Government has already put in place. The implementation of these policies will demand a range of mechanisms. This strategy will contribute to the updating of the Urban Infrastructure Management Plan which coordinates infrastructure investment. The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning will continue to work in partnership with councils and agencies to achieve the outcomes contained in this strategy. The office of Western Sydney The Office of Western Sydney, which was established in 1988, indicates the recognition given by the NSW Government to the needs of the region. The Office of Western Sydney provides strategic policy advice to the NSW Government on Western Sydney issues to promote integrated regional and whole of government initiatives to advance the interests of the region. It aims to assist the NSW Government to secure jobs and investment, support families and communities, deliver better government services and protect the environment across Western Sydney. Strong organisational structures The realisation of the outcomes of this strategy will be supported by the strength of the region itself. Western Sydney has the ability to see itself as a region and to develop and implement strategies that benefit the entire region. This strength has encouraged the development of a regional response to Shaping our Cities: The Planning Strategy for the Greater Metropolitan Region through the Teamwest process which has been managed by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils. This includes the development of a Western Sydney Regional Agenda which identifies common goals and priorities for Western Sydney. The agenda will be reviewed annually and will provide input into the ongoing review of this strategy. Urban improvement program The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning has developed an Urban Improvement Program to assist in planning and coordinating development. This program targets places that have locational advantages and are suitable for more intensive development or redevelopment. It has the potential to support the implementation of some of the actions in this strategy. Campbelltown is among the many centres in Western Sydney that could benefit from this program. Campbelltown is already working to identify strategies to improve access to services and jobs in Campbelltown. It would benefit from a targeted approach to build up and improve the centre, making the best use of vacant land in State Government ownership. Planning for Western Sydney continues in the context of constant change With such a dynamic region there will be unresolved issues that will influence its future. The most significant of these may be the Commonwealth Government s decision on the proposed Second Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek. The decision will have a direct impact on Western Sydney and could alter the key strategies and priorities for Western Sydney. Key trends and strategy implementation will be monitored so that decisions and actions remain relevant in this ever changing environment.