Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Action for Public Transport (NSW) Inc. is a transport advocacy group which has been active in Sydney since 1974. We promote the interests of beneficiaries of public transport - passengers and the wider community alike.

In August 2022, Transport for NSW issued a Review of Environmental Factors (hereinafter called the REF) for proposed changes to the road network around Pyrmont which are intended to increase vehicle-carrying capacity and thereby shorten queues of vehicles, making trips quicker.

The proposed changes would affect the Western Distributor over Darling Harbour, the Anzac Bridge, and some intersections in Pyrmont. The changes were to include gantries displaying information to drivers on the Anzac Bridge. However, following a public outcry in October which seemed to be based on aesthetics of the bridge, the proposed gantries were deleted.

This submission is on the modified proposal.

Action for Public Transport does not support the proposal for the following reasons:

• The proposal is completely counter to the relevant strategic framework. According to Future Transport Strategy 2056 we should be building a scalable and sustainable transport system. Expanding roads in a dense area like Pyrmont is neither scalable nor sustainable.

• Any roadwork planned for the Pyrmont area should allow for construction of the Pyrmont station of Sydney Metro West and for its operation in due course. Unfortunately, the REF mentions Pyrmont metro station just twice - on pages 237 and 239. The REF should have a detailed discussion of the contribution the metro and any proposed road expansion each make to needs of Sydney's residents.

  Obviously, the rail and roads would interact; they should therefore be designed together.

  However, details of the Pyrmont metro station are yet to be finalised. Underground rail stations are hugely expensive and their design is tightly constrained by nearby buildings and other factors. Surface roads are more flexible. Hence, designing road expansion should be put on hold pending full details of the metro station or stopped. Also, it may be necessary for bus routes to be altered around Pyrmont in order to facilitate interchange at the metro station.

• Road vehicles, especially private cars, generally use much more fuel than rail vehicles per passenger kilometre. Private cars powered by fossil fuel, including electric cars using power generated by fossil fuels, should be deprecated.

• The present road network in Pyrmont is not particularly unsafe. Safety therefore cannot be a warrant for amplifying Pyrmont roads. Safety could, however, be a reason for lowering speed limits in the area.

• Any money proposed to be spent on road expansion around Pyrmont should be put to better use.