Greater Sydney Commission outlines plans for new rail and homes in southeast
GREATER Sydney Commission plans more rail lines and extra homes in Sydney’s southeast to cope with 340,000 people in 18 years. Read the full report here.
Southern Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SYDNEY’S southeast will undergo an extensive infrastructure upgrade in order to accommodate 340,000 more residents in just 18 years.
The Greater Sydney Commission has finalised its Eastern District Plan, following consultation with councils and the community. The plan was released last week.
It will inform multiple State Government departments on how to accommodate Sydney’s growing population, with a focus on housing, health, education, transport and recreation.
Along with thousands of new homes — a 33 per cent increase in our region — the plan envisages “major centres” scattered through the southeast, connected by mass transit corridors, as well as new walking and cycling routes.
One of the most ambitious proposals is the construction of a heavy rail line from the CBD via Green Square and Mascot to Randwick, Maroubra Junction and onwards to Malabar.
Chief commissioner Lucy Turnbull said the feedback had been “invaluable”.
“(It has) helped to produce an inspiring and practical plan,” she said. “We will continue advocating for effective infrastructure to keep pace with population growth.”
In addition, the trade and tourism corridors would be given priority.
La Perouse was pegged as an “untapped opportunity for cultural tourism” while industrial zoning around Sydney Airport and Mascot would be protected from encroaching residential development.
The Eastern District Plan is part of the commission’s “A Metropolis Of Three Cities”, where most residents will live within 30 minutes of jobs, education and health facilities
TRANSPORT
Maroubra is tipped to become the next big transport hub in the southeast.
The Greater Sydney Commission has firmed up plans of a heavy rail line to Malabar via Mascot, Randwick and Maroubra.
In addition, light rail would extend to Maroubra and connect with the trains to create a super transport hub.
“Opportunities exist for Maroubra Junction to support growth and transport infrastructure investment in the southeast,” the plan states.
The light rail extension would ideally support urban renewal and growth to the south of Kingsford.
The commission has a “visionary” plan to connect Kogarah with Randwick via heavy rail, creating a network of public transport opportunities.
The Port Botany freight line would be duplicated in the plan.
Walking and cycling routes between Eastgardens-Maroubra Junction and Randwick would be improved.
“Transport for NSW will focus on completing key missing links in the bicycle network within 10km of the metropolitan centres and 5km of strategic centres,” the plan states.
Direct and safe walking routes to services should be within 10 minutes of centres. People make about 2.9 million trips that are shorter than 5km and approximately 1.3 million, or 47 per cent, are walking trips.
HOUSING
The Bayside Council area will have to accommodate more than 10,000 new homes over the next four years while nearby Woollahra Council takes just 300, according to the Greater Sydney Commission’s plans.
Despite concerns raised by the council and the public, the commission — which is headed by the Prime Minister’s wife Lucy Turnbull — has not altered its housing targets.
Bayside will have to find room for 10,150 homes by 2021 while Randwick will have to accommodate 2250.
In comparison, Woollahra, which is home to some of the country’s wealthiest suburbs — including the Prime Minister’s home — will take just 300.
Burwood will take 2600, Canada Bay 2150, Inner West 5900, Strathfield 3650, Waverley 1250 and the City of Sydney 18,300.
The commission has set a 20-year target of 157,500 new homes in the eastern district — equating to 7875 each year.
The commission has urged developers to take advantage of future infrastructure projects,
such as the planned rail connection down to Malabar and Maroubra.
The commission is also calling for more affordable housing through more compact designs and owner-developer apartment models but this is not supposed to be at the expense of design and liveability.
EDUCATION
Schools will share buildings with private companies and local councils in a bid to accommodate the expected population boom.
There is anticipated to be a 20 per cent rise in the number of children aged four years and younger in the Eastern City District by 2036.
In Bayside there will be a 25 per cent jump while in Randwick it will be around 10 per cent.
The commission’s report states there must be “innovative approaches to the use of land and floor space” including the sharing of facilities with local government and the private sector.
The commission said school location was key.
“Safe walking and cycling links to schools encourage young people to be more active and better connect schools with the local communities.
They can reduce local congestion around schools, improving safety for children and families,” it said.
RECREATION
Green infrastructure is sorely needed in one of Sydney’s most urbanised districts to help encourage nature-based recreation, according to the plan.
With low levels of tree canopy cover, the State Government has set a target to increase tree canopy cover to 40 per cent. Bayside and Randwick now have just 12 to 13 per cent.
In addition, public access to nature corridors will be improved. Mill Stream and Botany wetlands, which extends from Botany Bay through the Australian, Lakes, Eastlakes and Bonnie Doon golf courses to Centennial Park, have limited public access. The plan provides a significant opportunity for improved north-south and cross-district access.
Another aim is to fill in the missing links along the Great Coastal Walk, including Malabar Headland from Malabar to La Perouse and South Coogee to North Maroubra, and from North Bondi to South Head. La Perouse, with its extensive cultural and historical significance and recreational opportunities such as diving and snorkelling, will be considered as Sydney’s newest cultural destination.
SYDNEY CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
