Alliance urges long term transport plan

Thursday, 15 March 2007 22:55

The alliance, comprising the Property Council of Australia, Sydney Chamber of Commerce, and the Total Environment Centre expressed disappointment that neither Labor or the Coalition had committed to develop a long term plan outlining solutions to address Sydney’s future transport needs.

“The major parties are yet to announce that they would develop an all encompassing transport plan for Sydney,” said Ken Morrison, NSW Executive Director of the Property Council.

“To date there have been piecemeal announcements of projects, which while welcome do not constitute a long term plan. “An efficient and effective transport system is vital to support the economic and social livelihood of Sydney.”

The alliance believes a fundamental shake up of the way transport decisions are made and services are provided is needed to secure an efficient and effective system. “Whoever wins government on 24 March needs to restructure the way transport decisions and services operate,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce.

“There should be one minister and one agency responsible for Sydney’s transport system – this should encompass public transport as well as roads. “We need to unravel the web of separate agencies with separate masters and separate agendas which currently stand in the way of achieving an integrated system.”

According to the alliance, the focus must be on delivering high capacity, sustainable, integrated solutions. Projects which should be explored in a long term plan include a metro rail system to complement the city’s road network.

“It’s critical that we have holistic decisions being made about our transport system,” said Jeff Angel, Director of the Total Environment Centre. “Sydney needs new mass transit systems to cater for growth. These need to be planned and delivered to support and facilitate population growth.”

The alliance said it will maintain pressure on the next government to deliver a long term integrated transport strategy for Sydney. “We will issue a list of targets we think the incoming government needs to tackle in its first 100 days in office to work towards delivering a long term transport plan for Sydney,” said Mr Angel.

“Delivering a reliable and sustainable transport system is not something which can be done overnight, but we will be watching to make sure that real action is taken towards getting there. “We look forward to working with the incoming government to help create and build a transport system which Sydneysiders embrace.”