Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

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INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTTHE ROLE OF INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN REGIONAL NSWChapter Two – The role of inter-regionalpublic transport in regional NSW2.1 Public transport is widely considered to be an essential service in the State’slarger metropolitan centres. The Committee heard that regional NSW has aneven greater need for a public transport network that is reliable, functional,affordable and accessible.2.2 This chapter considers the role of a reliable, functional, affordable and accessibleinter-regional public transport system in regional areas. It will examineoverarching strategies to enhance the current inter-regional public transportnetwork, the role that local governments play in determining public transportpriorities and providing related infrastructure, and ways that the interactionbetween local governments and Transport for NSW could be improved. It willconclude with a discussion on the role of Regional Transport Coordinators indetermining the transport requirements of the regional communities that theyserve.THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF INTER-REGIONAL TRANSPORT ONREGIONAL COMMUNITIES2.3 Residents of regional NSW who wish to access essential services such as health,education, consumer and social services often face significantly longer journeysthan their metropolitan counterparts. Those regional residents who do not haveaccess to private transportation are at an increased risk of geographic, economicand social isolation.2.4 The absence of a functioning public transport network may also constrain thegrowth of regional towns and centres and impact on tourism, business andindustry.2.5 The Committee heard a great deal of evidence from individuals, organisationsand local governments, that inter-regional public transport services, particularlythose provided by NSW TrainLink, made a significant contribution to the standardof living in regional NSW and were greatly valued by regional NSW residents.2.6 The vital importance of CountryLink services was emphasised by Namoi Councils:It is accurate to say that there is widespread support in regional communities for theservices provided by CountryLink. The service is valued by regional communities andis widely recognised as a vital public transport service for the regional community.The service provides reasonably cost effective access to the Newcastle Sydneymetropolitan areas for individuals to connect with family, friends, business, healthand education services, sport, recreation, tourism, arts, culture, connection tointrastate, interstate and overseas travel. 1818 Submission 54, Namoi Councils, p 3.MARCH 2014 9
STATE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEETHE ROLE OF INTER-REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN REGIONAL NSW2.7 Other stakeholders asserted that the lack of adequate inter-regional publictransport services restricted residents’ quality of life and constrained regions’potential for economic and social growth.2.8 For example, Narromine Shire Council stated that inadequate inter-regionalpublic transport to the Central West region constitutes a significant barrier to theregion’s potential for growth as an aged care community. This is largely becauseof the difficulties experienced by residents accessing basic government andeducation services:Narromine Shire’s population is not diminishing and has great potential for growth,as an aged care community, given its climate, shopping, medical facilities – anexcellent health centre and hospital…One of Narromine Shires barriers to growth is access to reliable public transport andaccess to government agencies such as Medicare, Roads and Maritime Services(RMS), and higher education such as TAFE and universities. 192.9 Similarly, Broken Hill City Council drew attention to the economic and culturalpotential of the Far West region, but stated that the realisation of this potentialwas dependant on an appropriate, reliable public transport network:Our region is unique – it offers a range of opportunities associated with mining,tourism, film, arts, sustainable energies, environment and events…The vibrancy and prosperity of our region relies heavily on appropriate, reliable andaffordable public transport services and infrastructure. 202.10 Illawarra Forum Inc focused on the social impacts of the inter-regional publictransport currently available to residents of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.They emphasised that this has resulted in geographic and social isolation of arange of groups:The diversity of settlement and the vast distances has resulted in many people onthe Illawarra and Shoalhaven experiencing geographic and social isolation. Amongthe groups most vulnerable to this isolation are:• young people;• people living with physical or mental illness or disability;• people living on Centrelink benefits, pensions or low incomes;• older people;• carers of older people and people with a disability; and• people experiencing an emergency or crisis. 2119 Submission 12, Narromine Shire Council, p 1.20 Submission 38, Broken Hill City Council, p 2.21 Submission 114, Illawarra Forum Inc, p 2.10 REPORT 1/55
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Report 1-55 - Inter-regional Public Transport

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