Skip to Content

Development Planning

Before starting to develop a local transport plan or strategy, it is important to have a clear understanding of the existing provision of all types of transport services and the demand for transport in the area.

Once this information is found, a regional transport strategy or local transport plan can be developed to express a vision of where the community wants to be in the future and how transport will contribute to it.

Transport Management and Accessibility Plans

To complement the Integrating Land Use and Transport Planning package at a more site specific level, draft Interim Guidelines for Transport Management and Accessibility Plans (T-MAPs) have been developed which provide a framework for councils, developers and their consultants to manage the transport impacts of major developments.

The guidelines set out the basic steps of assessing likely impacts, seeking a higher mode split to public transport and agreeing on a package of measures which can be widely applied to medium and large scale developments.

A T-MAP could be prepared in conjunction with a Regional Environmental Plan, Local Environmental Plan, Development Control Plan, masterplan or precinct plan or a development application, depending on the circumstances.

Other Resources

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and accompanying Guidelines, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, set out formal requirements for accessibility to public transport in Australia. They will help to promote greater independence and a better quality of life for people with a disability, the elderly and parents with young children.

The standards set out specific requirements for the accessibility of public transport and provide transport operators with detailed information about disability access issues, including such things as access paths, manoeuvring areas, ramps and boarding devices. This information will help transport operators to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination on the grounds of a person's disability.

The Accessible Transport Action Plan for NSW Transport Agencies sets out the practical application of the disability standards for NSW Government transport agencies. The Plan outlines:

  • Legal responsibilities of transport agencies
  • The guiding principles for integrated accessible transport services
  • Progress to date and future strategies for the provision of accessible transport services.

Responsibility for development of disability action plans for private operators of public transport services will rest with individual operators. However, to ensure a consistent and integrated approach to service provision, the Ministry of Transport can assist private operators to develop complementary disability action plans.

The Roads and Traffic Authority has produced three useful guides for councils and other community organisations relating to planning for the needs of cyclists and for pedestrians:

TravelSmart is a program aimed at reducing reliance on cars and making smart choices about other forms of transport. TravelSmart Australia has compiled a range of useful information, including preparation of employer-based access plans and schools materials.

Contact

For more information please phone the Ministry of Transport (02) 9268 2800 and ask for Transport Planning Division.

Alternatively, you can send an email to the Ministry using the feedback form on this website.