Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is about to lead a once-in-a-generation review of the Roads Act 1993.
And, the organisation’s seeking input from councils, residents, peak bodies and industry experts about how the legislation should be reformed.
The aim is to create a more modern, flexible and easy-to-use law that can help enable NSW Government initiatives such as housing targets and making the state more liveable and vibrant.
NSW’s roads and streets form 80% of the state’s public spaces and provide addresses for more than 3.3 million properties.
But, in the past, they were mainly considered simply as routes for vehicles.
Now, they’re recognised for their much wider functions including community spaces for events and outdoor dining, corridors for housing and freight, and paths for public transport, cycling, walking and e-micromobility.
Consultation is currently underway on an Options Paper, which outlines three possible models for reforming the law.
TfNSW requests anyone who interacts with the Act directly to provide their detailed feedback.
The broader community is also being asked to contribute to an online survey and have a say about what they want roads and streets to look and feel like and what could be done to help make them safer, easier or more enjoyable.
TfNSW executive director of transport policy Ruth Graham admitted now was the time to update the Act and bring it up to modern standards and expectations.
“There are frustrations that it does not provide clarity over which authority manages what, definitions can be vague, and this leads to too much red tape, duplication and decisions not being made locally,” she said.
“Ultimately, the aim of this review is to create an Act that underpins a well-functioning road network.
“From highways to laneways, we need our state’s roads to help create and connect vibrant, liveable towns and cities.
“We know that successful reform cannot be designed in isolation.
“That’s why we want to draw upon the knowledge, experience and insight of councils, industry, government agencies, community groups and individuals during this review.”
Hunter Joint Organisation chair Sue Moore said while road funding was not part of the process, she would welcome any reforms that would give councils more freedom to make decisions on their local road network.
“Reviewing the Act and making changes to it could support community wellbeing and liveability by providing councils with greater influence over streets and their use for a variety of recreational activities and events,” the Singleton mayor stated.
“Streamlining approvals processes could reduce community frustration and assist with meeting state and local housing targets.”
NSW president of the peak body representing transport planners and traffic engineers, Transport Professionals Association, Graham McCabe agreed more clarity was needed for councils and developers alongside other considerations.
“We also require a broader view of how to balance the need to move people and goods making streets better places,” he said.
“We want the review of the Act to look at how we manage the network in the best interests of the community, providing access to properties and embedding the safety and amenity of all users of the road environment, such as vehicle occupants, public transport patrons and people using the corridor as a public space.”
The Options Paper and other resources are available to review and provide feedback on at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/roads-act-1993 until 31 October.
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