FAQs

The Sutherland Shire is experiencing increasing traffic and parking congestion. As a result we are spending increasingly more time getting to and from work and going about everyday tasks such as shopping, going to school, visiting family and friends, attending / participating in sporting and recreational activity etc

While public transport, and active transport (cycling and walking) are potential  options, limited services, network links, overcrowding, convenience etc influence their use and uptake. Addressing this is made more complex by things such as the shire's  topography and natural constraints (rivers), and the concentration and / or dispersion of housing and employment.

To address this Our Shire Transport 2030 aims to provide a strategic framework from which we can better target, prioritise and manage actions that will help to reduce our strong dependency on motor vehicle trips, help us connect better with our community  and support its long term health and well being.

Our Shire Transport 2030 is being developed in response to growing community concerns about the diminishing effectiveness of the transport system in the Sutherland Shire which is most notably reflected in its traffic and parking congestion, and limited alternative transport options.

There is also a need to replace Council’s current but now outdated Integrated Transport Policy (ITP) with a much broader strategic focus that incorporates the strong links between land use activity and transport.

In comparison to the Sydney Metropolitan Area there are a number of challenges that the Sutherland Shire needs to address over the next decade that are strongly influenced by the area's geographical constraints, high car ownership, relatively higher incomes per household and lower levels of unemployment.

The strong preference to use private motor vehicles in the Sutherland shire is reinforced by factors that include the poor integration of public transport, limited bus and rail services, the discontinuity and inconsistency of active transport infrastructure and the limited capacity / redundancy of the road network. The Shire's population in the 65+ age group will comprise nearly 20% of residents by 2031, up 12% from 2011).

These and other issues will pose new economic, social and environmental challenges for the community, Sutherland Shire Council and State Government. The objective of Our Shire Transport 2030 is to help guide transport planning in the shire and Council respond effectively to these challenges over the next 15 to 20 years.

Our Shire Transport 2030 is being funded and developed by Sutherland Shire Council. Transport consultants GHD have been engaged to prepare the strategy and undertake the community consultation phases of the project.

As part of the community consultation, key Local Government, State Government agencies and Community / Business organisations have been involved in a series of workshops to both identify the issues, opportunities and constraints that affect transport in the shire and suggest potential actions and priorities. The potential actions and priorities will be included in the Draft Our Shire Transport Strategy which will be made available for community feedback and comment.

The feedback and comment provided by the community will be incorporated into the Our Shire Transport Strategy and strategy reviewed accordingly before it is submitted to Council for its endorsement.

In being able to address the various issues affecting transport in the Sutherland Shire it is important to understand the respective roles and responsibilities of Council and State Government agencies in relation to land use, transport infrastructure and services.

Council is responsible for managing land use and development through its planning instrument the Local Environment Plan. This is undertaken within the context of broader State Government Sub -Regional and Metropolitan Plans that direct the location of housing, employment, infrastructure and open space. With regard to transport, Council must also give due consideration to broader Regional and Sub-regional Transport Plans and various NSW Transport Strategies.

With regard to the responsibility for transport services and infrastructure:

- Council is responsible for the local road network, cycle paths and footpaths.

- Roads and Maritime Services are responsible for arterial roads and approve infrastructure such as traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

-Transport for NSW is responsible for public transport services.