Independent Public Inquiry

Sydney's Long Term Public Transport Plan

An Independent Public Inquiry has been established to create the Long Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney to inform decisions by future governments on the priorities over the next 30 years.

Sydney needs an integrated public transport network to drive a sustainable, liveable and viable future at time of increased pressure from climate change, growing demand for transport resources and reduced oil reserves.

It will be chaired by Mr Ron Christie, AM, who will be assisted by independent experts. Public submissions close on October 8, 2009. A Preliminary Report will be released in December, 2009 for final public review. A final report will be released in Autumn, 2010.

1. Reference works

   The inquiry will use three documents as reference works.

   1. Discussion paper. A 30-year public transport plan for Sydney, by Dr Garry Glazebrook.
      Click here for PDF (4.30 MB)
   2. Background paper. The long-term strategic plan for rail, by Ron Christie, 2001
      Click here to view chapters
   3. Context document. Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney, NSW Government, released 2005
      http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/introduction/index.html
2. Call for submissions

   Submissions are invited from the public. The call is extended to all interested individuals, community and business groups, public agencies and all tiers of government.

   Confidential submissions will be accepted where the material, once verified, can be used for background information but cannot be attributed to its author. The background use of material in confidential submissions will be entirely at the discretion of the chairman of the public inquiry.

   Submissions should be confined to the terms of reference (see below) and should draw on the three reference documents.

   Submissions must be lodged by October 8, 2009 and should be addressed to:

   Long-term public transport plan for Sydney
   Independent Public Inquiry
   GPO Box 249
   Sydney NSW 2001
   

   They can be lodged electronically via \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 6pm on October 8, 2009. Please keep a copy of all public submissions as documents cannot be returned. Authors of public submissions acknowledge their work could appear in the final plan. Authors of submissions should indicate whether they would be willing to appear at a public hearing to discuss their submission further should that be necessary.

3. Public meetings

   Members of the public are invited to attend community meetings to share their thoughts about public transport in their area. Each meeting will focus on the issues in the local region or strategic corridor after a brief overview of the metropolitan outlook. The final meeting of the first round will be held in Central Sydney and will cover transport issues from the grouping of inner suburbs. The meetings are as follows:

   North-west Sydney
   Tuesday, September 15, Castle Grand, Cnr Pennant & Castle Streets, Castle Hill. 6.30pm - 8.30pm. This meeting is co-hosted by the Hills Shire Council.

   North-east Sydney
   Thursday, September 17, Dee Why RSL, 932 Pittwater Road, Dee Why. 6.30pm - 8.30pm. This meeting is co-hosted by Warringah Council.

   South-east Sydney
   Monday, September 21, University of NSW, Leighton Hall, Scientia Building, Anzac Parade, Kensington. 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

   South-west Sydney
   Tuesday, September 22, Casual Powerhouse, 1 Casula Road, Casula. 6.30pm-8.30pm. This meeting is co-hosted by Liverpool City Council.

   Western Sydney corridor
   Thursday, September 24, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. 6.30pm-8.30pm. This meeting is co-hosted by Parramatta City Council.

   Northern Sydney
   Monday, September 28, Macquarie Theatre, Macquarie University, North Ryde, 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

   Central Sydney
   Thursday, October 1, City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney. 6.30pm-8.30pm. This meeting is co-hosted by City of Sydney.

   Two further meetings are being scheduled for Sydney's south (St George area) and Sydney's north (Chatswood/North Ryde area). Dates will be advertised once arrangements are confirmed. Please email \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.

4. Terms of reference

   1. The Independent Public Inquiry will create a Long Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney after receiving public submissions. The plan is designed to assist both the public and future governments to make informed decisions about priorities for transport investment. The plan will cover the following topics:
   2. The optimisation and integration of existing public transport operations (including ferry, bus, light rail and heavy rail).
   3. The expansion of public transport services and infrastructure, as well as cycle commuting infrastructure, over a 30-year planning horizon, taking into account existing transport accessibility problems and integration with future land use changes.
   4. The most appropriate governance arrangements to guarantee the plan's longevity to remove the negative impact of single-term party politics and to optimise investments.
   5. Key environmental sustainability issues.
   6. Key social and economic issues.
   7. Proposals for short term and long term funding.
   8. The cost-effectiveness of solutions, taking into account short term financial costs and benefits, and longer term environmental, congestion and other external costs and land use and accessibility benefits.
5. Key facts about the inquiry

   The Independent Public Inquiry has been established with the support of The Sydney Morning Herald and other groups to create a Long-term public transport Plan. The inquiry is independent of government.

   The chair of the inquiry, Mr Ron Christie, AM, is a former chief executive of the Roads & Traffic Authority, chief executive former head of the Olympic Roads & Transport Authority, former Co-ordinator General of Rail in NSW and former Director-General of Public Works and Services.

   Follow the full coverage at: smh.com.au/national/transport