An Independent Public Inquiry has been established to create the Long Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney to inform decisions by future governments on the priorities over the next 30 years.

Sydney needs an integrated public transport network to drive a sustainable, liveable and viable future at time of increased pressure from climate change, growing demand for transport resources and reduced oil reserves.

It will be chaired by Mr Ron Christie, AM, who will be assisted by independent experts. Public submissions close on October 8, 2009. A Preliminary Report will be released in December, 2009 for final public review. A final report will be released in Autumn, 2010.

  1. Reference works

    The inquiry will use three documents as reference works.

    1. Discussion paper. A 30-year public transport plan for Sydney, by Dr Garry Glazebrook.
      Click here for PDF (4.30 MB)
    2. Background paper. The long-term strategic plan for rail, by Ron Christie, 2001
      Click here to view chapters
    3. Context document. Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney, NSW Government, released 2005
      http://www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/dev/uploads/paper/introduction/index.html
  2. Public submissions

    Initial submissions were invited from individuals, community and business groups, public agencies and all tiers of government over a six week period until October 8, 2009. Inquiries re late submissions from professional organisations or government should be emailed to submissions@transportpublicinquiry.com.au. Confidential submissions were accepted where the material, once verified, can be used for background information but cannot be attributed to its author. The background use of material in confidential submissions will be entirely at the discretion of the chairman of the public inquiry. Authors of public submissions acknowledge their work could appear in the final plan. Authors of submissions should indicate whether they would be willing to appear at a public hearing to discuss their submission further should that be necessary.

    All correspondence relating to the submissions should be addressed to submissions@transportpublicinquiry.com.au or via mail to:

    Public submissions
    Long-term public transport plan for Sydney
    Independent Public Inquiry
    GPO Box 249
    Sydney NSW 2001

    Further submissions will be invited after the release of the preliminary report.

  3. Public meetings

    The Inquiry has completed eight community meetings across Sydney to sample views on local issues. The sessions were held in Sydney's north-west (Castle Hill), south-west (Liverpool), west (Parramatta), south (Kogarah), south-west (Kensington), north (North Ryde), north-east (Dee Why) and central Sydney and were attended by 1,200 people. Further consultation will take place after the release of the preliminary report.

  4. Terms of reference
    1. The Independent Public Inquiry will create a Long Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney after receiving public submissions. The plan is designed to assist both the public and future governments to make informed decisions about priorities for transport investment. The plan will cover the following topics:
    2. The optimisation and integration of existing public transport operations (including ferry, bus, light rail and heavy rail).
    3. The expansion of public transport services and infrastructure, as well as cycle commuting infrastructure, over a 30-year planning horizon, taking into account existing transport accessibility problems and integration with future land use changes.
    4. The most appropriate governance arrangements to guarantee the plan's longevity to remove the negative impact of single-term party politics and to optimise investments.
    5. Key environmental sustainability issues.
    6. Key social and economic issues.
    7. Proposals for short term and long term funding.
    8. The cost-effectiveness of solutions, taking into account short term financial costs and benefits, and longer term environmental, congestion and other external costs and land use and accessibility benefits.
  5. Key facts about the inquiry

    The Independent Public Inquiry has been established with the support of The Sydney Morning Herald and other groups to create a Long-term public transport Plan. The inquiry is independent of government.

    The chair of the inquiry, Mr Ron Christie, AM, is a former chief executive of the Roads & Traffic Authority, chief executive former head of the Olympic Roads & Transport Authority, former Co-ordinator General of Rail in NSW and former Director-General of Public Works and Services.

    Follow the full coverage at: smh.com.au/national/transport