IT has been an exciting first few months for me as CEO of Parramatta City Council.
Since coming to this position in February I’ve gained a real insight into the ability of the City to further grow as Sydney’s central CBD.
Having been born in Parramatta, it's gratifying to work in a community that was a key part of my early development. And while the heritage and culture remains strong and consistent, it is clear that Parramatta
is a city on the move.
We are a City at work - advocating for the needs of not just our own constituents, but the greater Western Sydney region.
A region that within the next 25 years will house the majority of Sydney’s population.
The decisions we make today, here in Parramatta, when it comes to infrastructure, development, tourism and transport, will ultimately shape the Sydney we see tomorrow.
Obviously Council has important role to play and we’re working hard to secure and develop the infrastructure we need to address the requirements of our rapidly growing population.
Key among our priorities, is transport. And our solution to address Western Sydney’s future transport needs is multi-faceted.
Parramatta’s central location makes it a major travel hub. Daily, thousands of people are transported through our City’s integrated rail, road, bus and ferry network.
With an increasing number of businesses relocating or opening an office in Parramatta, a choice of reliable transport links is highly important.
Additionally, attracting and retaining high-calibre employees means creating a 360 degree reach to Greater Sydney using the right infrastructure.
Council’s plans are aimed at making travel to and from Parramatta easier, no matter where you’re located.
This week, the State Government Budget’s commitment of $400 million for stage one of our light rail network is not only a sure sign that our plans can work, but a definite sign that transport in Western Sydney is set to change.
Launched by Council in 2012, this light rail network is one of our City’s most significant transport projects.
It not only addresses the long-term transport needs of the whole of Sydney, but also provides providing much-needed links between Sydney’s major growth centres, especially from north to south.
On important thing to remember is that currently, about 65% of people in Western Sydney, actually work in Western Sydney. That’s right, more people in Western Sydney work in Parramatta than they do the Sydney CBD.
We’ve got 50,000 workers coming into our City every day and our Light Rail network, which as you can see by this map, is aligned with the current heavy rail network will provide a more efficient, integrated transport system that better serves Parramatta and the wider region.
Our detailed studies included engineering feasibility and identified preferred alignment and stops as well as cost estimates. We also investigated the land use change potential to accommodate population and employment growth that could be anticipated as consequence of the Network.
Forming stage one is the Northern Link to Castle Hill - providing an important connection to the north and an attractive alternative to congestion along and around Windsor Road.
Anybody who has travelled along Windsor Road to and from Parramatta during peak hour will know exactly what I’m talking about.
The link to the North-East, also part of stage one, will connect Macquarie Park with our Universities and Business Parks, strengthening the relationship between key centres of learning and enterprise.
The following stages include two links to be constructed between Parramatta and Bankstown, and between Parramatta and Rhodes.
It will also have the capacity to transport more than 5,000 passengers in each corridor during peak hours.
What our Western Sydney Light Rail project delivers, perhaps more than any other transport plan currently on the table, is a connection between people and place.
A connection that links Sydney’s main growth areas in terms of population, employment, education and recreation.
One that anticipates and delivers on the future needs of all Sydney-siders and makes Parramatta a valued destination for residents, investors and business.
The question now, is not if the line will be built, but when.
It’s a strong beginning, but it is only part of the transport puzzle.
The State Government’s $11.5 billion WestConnex project falls a bit short when it comes to Parramatta – even with its additional 7.5km of motorway between Parramatta and Homebush.
While it is heralded for cutting the 60 minute drive from James Ruse Drive to the Airport, for example, to just 20 minutes via WestConnex, there are some improvements in the design which can go a long way in combatting congestion issues set to strain business and people down the track.
If the intention of the project is to deliver better connections along the M4 corridors, catering for the anticipated growth in both employment and population numbers along these routes – then better planning, particularly when it comes to on and off ramps, is needed.
I’m eager to see how the new budget allocations to WestConnex will aid our City as the project progresses. We’ll continue our conversations with the State Government on the appropriate provision of this infrastructure and also ensure it is aligned with our proposed Regional Ring Road.
Windsor Road. Cumberland Highway. Victoria Road.
What do they all have in common?
Well, not only are they major arterial roads that all connect to Parramatta, but they’re also a nightmare to navigate during peak periods.
Council’s proposal for a Western Sydney regional ring road will hopefully solve some of the issues associated with these roads and improve traffic flow and congestion in and around Parramatta.
Under this plan we can use existing roads and infrastructure in a much more efficient way. The 14-point schedule would help untangle the arterial road network, improve cross-regional traffic flow, reduce journey times, improve network efficiency and reduce accidents.
We’ll do this by upgrading key intersections and allowing traffic that doesn’t need to go to Parramatta and Westmead, to go around it… quickly and efficiently.
We’ve been pleased with the response this proposal has received by the State Government and Council will continue to advocate for its implementation.
Our proposed City Ring Road works hand-in-hand with the Regional Ring Road concept, alleviating congestion inside the Parramatta CBD.
Through small signage and intersection improvements including new turning lanes for Great Western Highway and Church Street, big benefits, such as improved pedestrian safety and an increase in the network capacity on the edge of Parramatta CBD, can be achieved.
Improved conditions for buses and taxis as well as cyclepaths, means alternate modes of transport will benefit too.
This layering of transport solutions - Light Rail, the Regional Ring Road, City Ring Road and potentially WestConnex paint the picture of an integrated transport model that is a true long term strategy for Parramatta and Western Sydney.
We also know that car parking in and around the CBD is an important issue. We understand the concerns of motorists and businesses and we have been studying peak hour periods to ensure we maximise use.
At the moment there are up to 2000 spaces available in our multi-storey car parks during peak periods. To maximise the use of these spaces, we are investigating options such as improved signage, and plan to implement some long term measures – such as the draft Local Environment Plan which will allow private buildings to open their car-parking to the public.
Our transport plans need to do more than just address congestion issues in and around our CBD.
They also need to take into consideration the emergence of our growth areas, particularly in Westmead and Camellia.
Westmead currently contains the largest concentration of health services in Australia: four major hospitals and three research institutes. It provides over 16,000 patient beds, employs 16,000 people and treats over a million people each year.
But transport demands from the flow of workers, patients, visitors, and residents that move in and out of the precinct each day are serviced by the same access roads of some 40 years ago.
With more than 7000 new workers tipped to move into the precinct within the next 10 years, a strong development pipeline and a number of large landowners and institutes signalling plans to expand within the precinct, Westmead needs a strong transport planning focus now.
Poor connectivity to the road network, crippling traffic congestion and parking are pressing concerns.
These were just some of the issues that have been made clear to Council, which is why it has played a leading role in establishing the Westmead Alliance, made up of all of the key stakeholders to campaign the Federal and State Governments for the necessary infrastructure and funding to support its development.
We’ve made some encouraging progress through the development of a strategic master plan, and have been buoyed by the State Government’s plans for a $400m redevelopment that will improve accessibility, efficiencies and services.
It’s the same kind of consideration that Council is currently giving to Camellia.
A recent survey of businesses found that transport and access issues were considered the biggest constraint for operating in Camellia, with road access limited to via just two entry and exit points. Adding to the congestion is that there is very little in terms of public transport and no direct links to neighbouring Silverwater.
In its favour however is Camellia’s close proximity to Parramatta CBD and key transport routes along the M4 and James Ruse Drive, which opens up the possibility of improved connections via the impending WestConnex and Western Sydney Light Rail.
Council is currently working with Camellia stakeholders to progress a precinct wide traffic study with the aim of improving road access to the area and providing better connections with key employment lands at Silverwater and Olympic Park.
It’s important to note that transport infrastructure is not just about road and rail.
With the Roads and Maritime Service we continue to grow our network of safe, environmentally friendly bicycle and pedestrian routes not only for leisure purposes but for cyclists to commute in and out of the city.
Many of you may have noticed the exciting works that are currently taking place at Lennox Bridge, and the construction of the Baludari Pathway, which will open up our City in a new way.
Upon completion of these two projects, expected by the end of 2014, Parramatta will have a 12km connection that links to Meadowbank to the east and Westmead in the west, providing more people to access to employment, services and education, while also easing congestion on our roads.
All these developments and projects underline our commitment to making the city more accessible.
We’re improving connections locally, regionally and statewide.
It’s a big challenge, but with a co-ordinated approach to planning, I’m confident we can help deliver the infrastructure the people of Western Sydney need.
Thank you.
