The Minns Labor Government has today delivered a key election commitment, releasing a blueprint for the future of transport in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
More frequent bus services, safer and more resilient roads and rail, and better walking and cycling connections are among more than 40 initiatives identified in the 20-year vision.
The final Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) has today been unveiled by the Minns Labor Government following extensive consultation with the community, councils, industry and stakeholders.
The SRITP sets out the transport priorities to support the region as it grows, helping deliver a safe, connected, sustainable, resilient and accessible transport network that keeps people and communities moving.
With strong connections to Greater Sydney, the South Coast and broader regional NSW, the Illawarra Shoalhaven’s transport network connects people to jobs, services and opportunities across the region and beyond.
Defined by stunning coastal landscapes, expansive beaches and rich hinterland areas, the region is expected to welcome more than 150,000 additional people by 2041, alongside almost 60,000 new jobs.
The region’s main employment centres – Wollongong, Port Kembla, Nowra, Albion Park and Shellharbour – are expected to see job numbers grow by 33 per cent over the same period.
The SRITP will help guide future transport planning and investment decisions to ensure the network keeps pace with this growth, while supporting housing, jobs and better connections for communities across the region.
Key directions for the Illawarra Shoalhaven transport system include:
- introducing rapid, frequent ‘core’ bus services and infrastructure
- improving safety and resilience on roads and rail
- improving rail infrastructure and services
- developing a connected network of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
- responding to significant anticipated growth with network and service upgrades.
- three Transport Oriented Developments planned around North Wollongong, Corrimal and Dapto stations are expected to accommodate around 5,500 residents and 2,000 jobs, creating new opportunities to connect people with public transport, employment and essential services.
The Plan also identifies transport improvements to support the new Shellharbour Hospital, being delivered in partnership with Health Infrastructure.
The Shellharbour Road and Dunmore Road intersection will be upgraded to accommodate increased road use from the hospital and surrounding development, while bus service improvements will provide convenient public transport access to the hospital when it opens.
More information on the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans across NSW, including the final Illawarra Shoalhaven SRITP, is available at www.transport.nsw.gov.au/sritp-illawarra-shoalhaven.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast and Member for Keira, Ryan Park:
“The Illawarra Shoalhaven is a much loved region and a great place to live, work and raise a family, but we know our transport network needs to keep pace as our communities grow.
“This plan gives us a clear long term vision for better connections across the region, whether people are travelling to work, getting to school, accessing health care or simply getting around their community.
“We have listened to locals about what matters to them, and this plan puts those priorities at the centre of how we plan for the Illawarra and South Coast over the next 20 years.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully:
“The Illawarra is one of the fastest-growing regions in New South Wales so it’s important we are planning for well-connected communities across the Illawarra that can support that growth.
“This plan will work alongside the Illawarra Shoalhaven regional plan to guide the delivery of housing, jobs, services and transport together, building better communities for the Illawarra.
“As our region continues to grow, this plan will help make sure people have genuine choices about how they move around, with better public transport and stronger walking and cycling connections.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:
“We promised the Illawarra Shoalhaven community a long-term transport plan shaped by local priorities, and that is exactly what we are delivering.
“This plan gives us a roadmap for the next 20 years, with more frequent buses, safer and more resilient roads and rail, and better connections for people walking and cycling.
“The Illawarra Shoalhaven is growing quickly, and we need to make sure our transport network grows with it, connecting people to jobs, education, health care and each other.”
Quotes attributable to Member for South Coast, Liza Butler:
“People on the South Coast know how important reliable transport connections are, particularly when it comes to getting to work, accessing services and staying connected with communities across the region.
“This plan recognises that our communities are growing and sets out the improvements we will need to keep people moving safely and reliably into the future.
“I am particularly pleased to see a strong focus on resilience, because our community knows firsthand how disruptive weather events can be when key road and rail links are affected.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson:
“Shellharbour is growing rapidly, and this plan recognises that our transport network needs to grow alongside our community.
“The new Shellharbour Hospital will be a major health hub for our region, so it is important we are planning now for the roads and public transport services people will rely on to get there.
“The upgrade of the Shellharbour Road and Dunmore Road intersection, together with better bus services, will help make the new hospital more accessible for patients, staff and visitors.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney:
“Communities across the Kiama electorate need safe, reliable transport connections that work for people every day and remain resilient when conditions are at their worst.
“This plan gives us a strong framework to advocate for the road, rail, bus, walking and cycling improvements our growing communities will need over the coming decades.
“Planning ahead now means we can make smarter decisions about infrastructure and ensure growth does not come at the expense of the connections local people rely on.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart:
“People in the northern Illawarra rely on strong road and rail connections every day to get to work, study, appointments and family, both within the region and into Greater and Western Sydney.
“This plan recognises the importance of safer and more resilient transport links, particularly for communities where there are limited alternatives when a road or rail corridor is disrupted.
“Better public transport and stronger walking and cycling connections will give people more options and help create more connected communities as our region continues to grow.”
