Forums to help shape Long Term Transport Master Plan

Transport planning forums will be held across NSW to ensure customers, businesses and other organisations can have their say on the future of transport in NSW. Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay today announced the development of a Long Term Transport Master Plan which will involve unprecedented collaboration with those whose livelihood depends on the quality of the transport network - customers.

They confirmed 10 regions outside of Sydney will each host at least one forum where key stakeholders will be consulted by Transport for NSW as part of the 12-month process to develop a NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.

Consultations will also be held in Sydney.

The forums will be held after the release of a discussion paper in February and the feedback gained will be used to inform development of a draft NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.

"The NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan will provide clear and detailed information about what needs to happen over the next 20 years and build on the Government's existing short term commitments, allowing the people of NSW to hold us to account and track our progress," Ms Berejiklian said.

"It is crucial that as we develop a plan for NSW we consult with those people in regional and rural areas who are affected by the quality of the transport network – from councils and community groups to public transport commuters, freight companies and truck drivers."

Mr Gay said the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan would build on commitments outlined in this year's budget, including a $4.2 billion investment in the regional and rural road network, $362 million for rural and regional bus services across the state, $159 million committed to rail improvements on the Country Regional Network and $17 million for community transport services.

"The NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan will address key challenges that face the State around population growth, job creation and the need for a freight and public transport network that maximise the benefits to the economy and aligns with land use strategy," he said.

"NSW faces a host of formidable challenges and if we have learned anything from the past it's that piecemeal, half-baked approaches to big problems don't work."
The timetable for the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan is:

• November 2011 – The consultation process – to include community forums, the meeting of specialist advisory groups and a new website – begins;
• February 2012 – release of a discussion paper to guide further consultation, followed by regional forums;
• Mid 2012 – release of a draft NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan for public comment; and
• November 2012 – release of the final NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan.

The NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan and discussion paper will each include a section devoted to major state significant transport issues in each of the following locations:

• Central Coast
• Central West
• Far North Coast
• Illawarra
• Lower Hunter
• Mid North Coast
•  Murray - Murrumbidgee
• Southern
• Upper Hunter - New England
• Western
• Greater Sydney.

On top of feedback gained from regional forums, advisory groups and meetings with key stakeholders, Transport for NSW will accept formal submissions at various stages in the process.

For more information visit www.transportmasterplan.nsw.gov.au .

Forums to help shape Long Term Transport Master Plan (pdf 29KB)