Sydney: What Could Have Been

Author: NRMA Motoring & ServicesDate: 22 August 2009

Some of Sydney's most critical road and public transport projects have been on the drawing board of successive State governments for almost a century, according to new research by NRMA Motoring & Services.

An analysis of planning projects has found major transport projects like the northern beaches rail line had been talked about by governments since 1915 and still not built.

NRMA's research also found the 'missing links' in Sydney's road network had been proposed and planned for decades, including the route for what is now the:

• M4 Extension first proposed in 1947
• F3 to M7 Link (1947)
• Northern Beaches corridor upgrades (1947); and
• The F6 Extension (1945)

Many of Sydney's unfinished rail projects, like a northern beaches line, were first presented to Government by Sydney engineer John Bradfield in 1915. An earlier transport plan by Bradfield in 1912 led to the construction of the Harbour Bridge.

The research was conducted as part of NRMA's Get NSW Moving Again campaign to highlight the road and public transport infrastructure NSW badly needs.

NRMA President Wendy Machin said in the last 60 years the people of NSW had been presented with at least eight major transport strategies from successive State governments all with the promise of more funds and resources to tackle to state's transport problems.

"Eight transport strategies in 60 years - it's no wonder the public greets these plans with such skepticism," Ms Machin said.

"Most of Sydney's critical road projects have been on the drawing board in some capacity since the end of the second World War.

"The grandparents of today's young drivers would have been getting their licences when politicians first started talking about these roads.

"Long-suffering commuters along the northern beaches would find little comfort in the knowledge that they were first promised a rail line 95 years ago.

"The same can be said for commuters in Sydney's north-west, who by now must have lost count of the number of times NSW governments have promised them a rail line."

Ms Machin said the people of NSW wanted to see less planning and more building.

"Sydney's transport infrastructure is not up to the quality expected of a modern city," Ms Machin said.

“Large motorways carry heavy volumes of traffic and end suddenly in the middle of suburbs like Concord, Sutherland and Pennant Hills.

"The Warringah Freeway was given its name because it was meant to lead to that suburb but it ends in Cammeray.

"The public is sick of waiting. These projects need to come off the drawing board and be shovel-ready so that the necessary funds can be committed."

Eight plans in 60 years

• 2006: NSW State Plan (consolidation of Sydney Metropolitan Strategy/City of Cities) - Set out the priorities for Government action until 2016. The Plan includes 34 priorities and 60 targets designed to deliver better services and improve accountability across the public sector including and effective transport system.
• 2005: Sydney Metropolitan Strategy/Strategy for Transport - Broad strategic framework for better management of roads and public transport within the five aims of the Metropolitan Strategy: enhanced liveability, economic competitiveness, fairness, environmental protection and government.
• 1998: Action for Transport - Commitment by the NSW Government for major infrastructure improvements to support efficient movement of public and private vehicles. This included key project deliverables and timeframes in stages.
• 1995: Cities for the 21st Century - Strategy for developing Sydney into competitive economic and residential hubs with appropriate transport links between them.
• 1988: Sydney into its Third Century - Emphasised the road and rail networks as backbones for the efficiency and effectiveness of Sydney as a global city.
• 1987: Roads 2000 - Specific road projects and planning for growth into the future.
• 1968: Sydney Region Outline Plan - Planning blueprint for the Sydney region with specific focus on the outer suburbs.
• 1948: County of Cumberland Plan - Proposed that Sydney be divided into a series of Districts, and one county centre located in what is now known as the Sydney CBD. The District Centres were planned to be a focus for activities, provide better access to the developing areas and reduce congestion in the County Centre.

Download the Sydney: What could have been map (PDF 996KB/1 page)