More bike paths and a better public transport network are among the ambitions of the Wollongong Transport Strategy. Photo: @dotshock, Envato.
Lower speed limits, on-demand public buses and a better cycle network could transform Wollongong’s streets over the next decade.
The amended Wollongong Transport Strategy 2025-2035 was recently adopted by Wollongong City Council.
The key issue it seeks to tackle is how to get a booming population around efficiently in a region that’s too geographically constrained for significant car infrastructure expansion.
Councillor Andrew Anthony said the challenge was the next step in a long journey of change over the years.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the history of our road network and how the topography of Wollongong has shaped it,” he said.
“I’ve seen old photographs of horses and carts on the Princes Highway, and what we’ve got today is the result of adding to that infrastructure over time, and not always well planned.
“I’d love to see improvements to the disjointed city cycling network, improvements to the motorway, and the Maldon-Dombarton rail link.
“I welcome the extension of the Wollongong City shuttle. It would be fantastic to see something similar for the southern suburbs.”
Not all the feedback on the amended strategy was positive however.
Councillor Dan Hayes urged the council to advocate for streamlined speed zones rather than 30 km/h speed zones in high pedestrian areas, like around schools.
He said the council didn’t set speed limits and he believed accidents were more likely to occur if drivers were scanning for speed signs rather than watching the road.
The strategy says children are 90 per cent likely to survive being struck by a car at 30 km/h, in comparison to a 60 per cent chance of surviving being hit by a car travelling at 40 km/h.
“Ultimately we want people to be able to cross roads safely, whether 10 per cent, 50 per cent, 90 per cent chance of survival,” he said.
“30 km/h zones aren’t where people will run out onto the street anyway.”
There are already 30 km/h zones in place at the lower end of Crown Street Mall and in the main street of Helensburgh.
Speakers at the public access forum urged the council to keep the goal of 30 km/h speed limits.
Councillor Kit Docker said none of the submissions received during the community consultation period opposed the idea of 30 km/h zones.
“Parents drive their children to school because of safety concerns,” he said.
“Children should be able to ride or walk safely to school in their own community.”
Lord Mayor Tania Brown said it wasn’t an either/or proposition.
She said the council did not have the power to set speed limits, only Transport for NSW could do that.
“I absolutely support reduced speed limits around schools, it can work, but it needs extra infrastructure around it,” she said.
“Things can happen in an instant and the consequences are long term.
“The state needs to show leadership on this so there is consistency across local government areas.”
The amended strategy was adopted, with only Cr Docker voting against it.
To take a look at the strategy click here.
