Part 1 Western Sydney Light Rail Feasibility Report - Parramatta City ...

Source:Figure 3.2NSW Long Term Transport Master PlanProportion of metropolitan jobs accessible with 30 minutes by public transport and privatevehicle3.4 Social and healthThe World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition of health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental andsocial wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ (WHO 2011). The broad socio-economicmodel of health used in this study encompasses conventional health impacts such as communicabledisease, accidents and risk, along with wider determinants of health outside the influence of health servicesyet vital to achieving good health and wellbeing. This includes income, employment, education, housing,lifestyle and access to social networks and support.Transport is an important determinant of health, particularly by facilitating access to key socio-economicdeterminants of health (NHS Scotland 2007 p.13). The relationship between transport, access and health iscomplex, as the relative importance of different types of transport may vary across different contexts and fordifferent groups (NHS Scotland 2007). Transport that is affordable and accessible is important to enableessential economic and social activities. Conversely, unequal provision or access to transport for all groupshas the potential to lead to social exclusion and inequality – in terms of reduced affordability and reducedaccess to employment, study, healthcare and other services (Falzon 2009; Hurni 2006; NHS Scotland 2007).Transport related social exclusion is more likely to be experienced by those with no or limited access to acar, such as people who are unemployed, young people, single parents, older people, people with healthproblems, people with disability, those in low income groups, the Indigenous community and migrantsincluding refugees (Falzon 2009; NHS Scotland 2007; WHO 2011). In order to ensure public transport isaccessible to all it is necessary to provide: mainstream public transport services that are accessible to peoplein wheelchairs, those with other impairments and elderly people; service routes that use accessible low-floorentrances; accessible taxi services with user-side subsidies to assist older travellers and those with limitedmobility; door to door services such as community buses for people who need further assistance to reachtheir destination (BMA 2012). Figure 3.3 below shows the relative socio-economic disadvantage of theWestern Sydney region, which is predominantly in the southern and south-western portion of Parramatta andWestmead, with a particular focus on the centres of Fairfield, Liverpool, Bankstown and Blacktown. The datasuggests a moderate degree if relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage in the corridor betweenParramatta, Westmead and Blacktown.10 Parramatta City Council Western Sydney Light Rail Network - Part 1 Feasibility Report