Transport Links to Connect Homes & Jobs in the South West

New transport plans to support housing growth in South West Sydney and build better connections between the South West and Illawarra were unveiled at today’s South West Sydney Housing & Infrastructure Forum.

Held by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, more than 230 government and industry leaders were the first to hear of NSW Government’s plans to prioritise connectivity options and reduce congestion on roads in South West Sydney through the new Outer South West Integrated Transport Plan.

The announcement follows the Dialogue’s call for Transport for NSW to strategically plan transport links between the South West and Illawarra in its Wollongong and the West policy paper launched this month.

“A dedicated focus by Transport for NSW means government can investigate and plan for major freight and passenger connections between the two regions, which when linked, can power Australia’s objectives in renewable energy, defence, health and advanced manufacturing,” Mr Leto said.

The South West Sydney Housing & Infrastructure Forum heard that accelerated housing targets for Sydney’s South West highlighted the need for infrastructure investment to keep pace with growth in the booming region.

The forum heard that 34 homes would need to be built every day in the southwest region if the government hoped to meet its target of 63,000 new homes in the region over the next five years.

“South West Sydney is set to play a key role in helping meet the massive housing targets set by both State and Federal Governments,” Mr Leto said.

“This is one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions with a population predicted to increase by a further 363,000 people by 2041, with some areas doubling in size over the coming decade.

“It puts into perspective just how big a job we have ahead of us. That’s why we need to look up and out, with sensible greenfield development supplementing the densification of our urban areas.

“The enabling infrastructure – the ‘back of house’ – may not be sexy, but without the pipes, power and access roads, future development plans for the South West just won’t work.

“It’s not cheap, and it is challenging, but it’s too important to ignore.”

Speakers at the event included Minister for Planning & Public Spaces Paul Scully, NSW Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure Secretary, Kiersten Fishburn, and Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Passenger, Customer and Asset, Trudi Mares.

The Dialogue outlined infrastructure projects that could help ‘future proof’ the South-West, including:

• The NSW and Federal Government standing by its election commitment to fund a dedicated Western Sydney Airport Rapid Bus network to boost connectivity for Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith to Western Sydney International Airport.
• Extending the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport line from Bradfield to Glenfield and then through to Macarthur to support access to local jobs.

Dialogue Chairman, Christopher Brown AM, said now was the time to seize on the game-changing opportunities to support the burgeoning outer west.

“The challenge is to encourage and enable smart and sustainable housing growth for a region that’s already on the move and whose marginal voters won’t put up with more delays,” Mr Brown said.

“We need to create the homes where people want to live and where they can afford to live and with the education, health and cultural facilities to enhance their lives. The homes need to be connected to local jobs, transport and the innovation hubs we are building now for a sustainable future.

“The Western Sydney International Airport is set to open in less than two years, and we need to push ahead with the transport links and infrastructure that will connect people to jobs as we also look for long-term solutions to our persistent skills and labour shortages.

“We are at an important crossroads for the state’s economic engine room and the Federal and State Governments need to respond quickly.

“We need a bold vision for the short, medium and long term that embraces opportunities like connecting the Illawarra & South West Sydney while delivering the quick fixes, including a dedicated Western Sydney Airport Rapid Bus network that will get people to their jobs and home to their families quickly, comfortably and affordably.”