The NSW Government will pilot four new transport hubs in Parramatta, Chatswood, Wollongong and Coffs Harbour, providing commuters with all essential services in one spot.
These ‘Future Transport Hubs' will house supermarkets, post-offices, cleaning services and cafes. They will also provide information boards with real-time information on all transport services connecting with the hub, including adjacent walking and bike paths.
The hubs are part of the NSW Government’s new Future Transport Strategy, which will facilitate the rollout of connected 30-minute cities and 15-minute neighbourhoods.
The ‘15-minute neighbourhood’ concept proposes that a person’s daily needs (groceries, transport, leisure) can be accessed within 15 minutes by walking or cycling from their home. The vision with this urban planning approach is to improve quality of life, strengthen walkability and bikeability, invigorate communities, and enhance the ‘liveability’ of cities.
In their Strategy, the NSW Government sets out how active transport fits into this vision: “Our 15-minute neighbourhood concept will improve health outcomes and ensure local streets, businesses and community hubs thrive. We will make public transport, walking, cycling and micromobility safer and easier with better pathways, cycleways and connections. The resulting increase in foot traffic will bring local places and businesses to life”.
Active transport is a major component of the Strategy, which describes ‘record investment’ and reallocation of road space will be undertaken to strengthen walking and bike riding across Sydney and regional NSW.
The Future Transport Strategy nods to the delivery of more walking and bike paths linking to existing transport options, supporting a connected, hybridized transport network.