Wauchope had the honour of being the first stop for the Transport NSW regional roadshow. It’s going around the state finding out what people think about future transport plans.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Future Transport Strategy aims to help NSW prepare for the big changes over the next 40 years. It will look at new approaches to delivering transport, through emerging technologies, new infrastructure and different business models.
Transport NSW want to know:
- how you travel in rural NSW
- how connected you are to the transport system
- are you interested in expanding aviation options
- what do you think about clever vehicles and smart roads for the bush
- how we deal with increasing demands for freight
Go to www.future.transport.nsw.gov.au to fill out a quick survey, keep up to date with what’s happening and get the chance to win free travel.
The roadshow audience at Wauchope Country Club heard about big trends changing transport, including:
- rapid technological innovation
- growing customer choice and empowerment
- live, work and study anywhere
- growing international trade
- we have a growing and ageing population
- we need healthier lifestyles
The population of regional NSW is projected to grow from three million to 3.6million over the next 40 years.
“In our region, the growth is skewed towards those aged 65 and over,” said Rob Mason, TfNSW Executive.
“People will increasingly travel towards regional centres for work – in Wauchope’s case, this means Port Macquarie. This area will remain a popular tourist destination,” he said.
So far, nearly all passenger and freight trips are made by road – the Pacific Highway will remain a focus and strong freight movements along the coast will continue.
Mr Mason said the North Coast experiences road deaths above the state and regional NSW average and this needs to be addressed.
88% of us travel to work by car, only 3% use public transport, and 8% walk or cycle. Flexible transport, like ride-sharing, Uber and carpooling are becoming more common.
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) will likely be on our roads by around 2035. It’s possible that many of us won’t buy our own car. Instead, we might simply order a CAV that turns up at our home when we need it.
For more information, go to: http://www.austroads.com.au/drivers-vehicles/connected-and-automated-vehicles/overview
Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
