Will the government invest in a new transport paradigm?
While Central Coast Council is currently running a Well-being Survey, does anyone ever stop to think what the impacts of their planning decisions have on the health and wellbeing of communities with increased density, transport plans and reduced open space?
The Transport-Oriented Development plan proposed for Woy Woy to increase housing stock needs to secure Infrastructure funding beyond spending on roads and carparks.
Will the Government commit to a full-time public hospital at Woy Woy, increased open space and improved public transport as part of the proposal?
Or are all levels of Government just looking to cram more houses into the Woy Woy Peninsula?
Cities and urban areas are not just houses, units and roads for cars, but require varying open spaces, connected tree lined pathways, physical infrastructure of public transit, hospitals, arts and education, all of which increase the liveability of neighbourhoods and the well-being of the residents.
Increased density means increased mobility challenges which the CBDs cannot address without mass transit systems.
Transport-Oriented Development doesn't mean we just build up the population around a single transport node, such as a train station.
It needs to implement a high quality, reliable transit service around the clock (day and evening frequencies of at least every 15 minutes) to connect the heavy gauge train network to light rail or bus network to move people around communities.
A mass transit system aids in reducing traffic congestion, freeing up car parking space and reduces transport disadvantage.
There are also significant health and environmental benefits in increasing the amenity of an area, including cleaner air and less noise pollution, increased community health with greater involvement in active transport.
Transport-Oriented Development can have many positives for our community, as long as the government provides the required investment in a new transport paradigm for the Peninsula, with low carbon sustainable transport, within a smart mobility grid.
Or will the community have to endure continuing the increasing traffic gridlock through Woy Woy?
SOURCE:
Email, 28 Apr 2024
Mark Ellis, Woy Woy