Better Streets are Coming to Regional NSW - Now It’s Bathurst’s Turn!
It’s an exciting time for better streets in regional NSW, with Wagga Wagga building over 50 kms of new shared paths since 2017 [1] and Albury Wodonga creating an ambitious new active transport strategy [2]. Now, with funding from Transport for NSW’s ‘Get NSW Active’ program to create a new active transport strategy, it looks like Bathurst could get a chance at better streets, too!
Bathurst is the perfect regional town for active transport - it’s a true railway town with a lively, walkable centre with 19th-century colonial architecture.
A raised pedestrian crossing on George Street in Bathurst
Unfortunately, despite its good bones, many of Bathurst’s streets are currently designed for cars rather than people. Angled parking leads to many difficult-to-cross roads that can be up to twenty metres wide and fast, frequent through traffic is allowed on local streets on the town’s original grid.
However, the new active transport strategy presents a chance to make Bathurst’s streets safe and pleasant for everyone.
One of the most exciting things about the Strategy is that it will implement the Design of Roads and Streets Manual (DORAS), which, despite its dry-sounding name, is an easy to read website full of clearly explained, evidence-based solutions to common problems for all kinds of streets and roads - with some great illustrations as well.
For example, its recommendations for quiet residential streets are all the solutions that we know make them better for everyone - 30km/h speed limits, modal filters, trees and, where they are currently missing, footpaths [3].
If you’re feeling inspired after reading DORAS and live in Bathurst Regional Council, make sure to take part in Council's consultation on the new Active Transport Strategy. These are early days yet, but if we continue to advocate for better streets all over the country, regional NSW will be a better place to walk, roll, bike and live in no time!
