Significant overcrowding on the T4 Illawarra Line will remain despite the state government’s huge investment in public transport, a council audit reveals.
“The planned investment will remove considerable congestion from the city wide network, but the T4 and Illawarra-Shoalhaven line will remain at the lowest level of service,” Sutherland Shire Council staff reported
The finding came as another report revealed the shire was undergoing “record” levels of development, and easily exceeding the target for new housing set by the state government.
An audit of infrastructure in the shire, ordered by councillors early this year, was illustrated in a colour coded chart.
Rail, roads and car parking were identified in red as the infrastructure under most pressure.
Usage was “above threshold / at capacity and not performing well”.
The colour orange (nearing threshold / performing well in some areas and not so well in others) was assigned to bus services, freight, waste, stormwater, waterways, justice, health services and education.
The best infrastructure performers, coloured green and said to be “below threshhold / performing well or no evidence to suggest otherwise”, were electricity, gas, water / sewer, NBN, community, fire and rescue, police, ambulance, child care, aged care, sport and recreation.
“The findings of the audit show a mixed picture,” the report said.
“There is infrastructure capacity in certain key areas, such as most utilities, services and open space.
“Elsewhere, however, there are major infrastructure challenges, particularly in road and rail transport.”
The findings will be presented to the Greater Sydney Commission during talks on planning priorities and used during a review of the next local environmental plan, due within three years.
The audit report said Opal data indicated that passenger numbers continued to grow on the T4 line.
“Minor railway capacity upgrades are planned for the T4 and Illawarra-Shoalhaven lines, which will free up some capacity,” the report said.
”However, this is needed to meet current use and will not create the capacity needed for population growth.
“[The state government report] Future Transport 2056 shows that there are no transport infrastructure works proposed within the next 20-year period that will fundamentally increase the capacity of the rail network serving Sutherland Shire.
“The South District Plan identifies a new mass transit link serving Miranda north to Kogarah.
“However, this is visionary in planning terms with a time horizon beyond 20 years.”
The report said the shire’s bus network was “fragmented” and improvements were needed.
“An on-demand bus service, which is currently on trial, may be a partial solution,” the report said.
”Reallocating road space and prioritising access for on-road rapid transit will be crucial to achieve the necessary mass transport options affordably and to present a credible, competitive alternative to private vehicle trips on key corridors.
“The B-Line to the Northern Beaches is a successful example.”
Growing car ownership and population would put more pressure on public parking, the report said.