The New South Wales Government is calling for community feedback on the draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan, which will shape transport in the region for the next two decades.
The plan is of relevance to bike riders as it sets out a range of short, medium and long-term actions across areas including active transport, roads and public transport.
In particular, the plan proposes making active transport a priority, addressing the region's disconnected and unseparated cycling networks to make riding safer and easier.
Data shows that more than 40% of trips in the region's centres are under five kilometres, a bikeable distance. Seven in 10 people in the local community say they would ride a bike more often if they had access to safer cycling routes.
The plan notes a public desire for funding to:
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fill in missing transport links to connect with trains heading towards hubs such as Sydney, Port Kembla and Nowra
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address the lack of long-distance bike routes for recreation
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create active transport links between Milton and Ulladulla, potentially connecting the existing cycleways at both ends.
The draft plan outlines the following actions as future possibilities:
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bring the planned 23 Strategic Cycleway Corridors to fruition, linking key facilities, schools and other destinations
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work with councils to build safe cycling routes, particularly between key areas like Kiama and Gerringong
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provide peripheral cycling facilities such as secure parking at stations and the ability to bring bikes on buses
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expand cycle paths that connect public transport, schools, university and TAFE, residential areas and key destinations
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create a safe and convenient bike network in Nowra, with its ideally flat topography and grid-based street network
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reallocate road space on main streets for riders and pedestrians, following the principles of the Transport for NSW Road User Space Allocation Policy
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investigate how shared e-bike and e-scooter schemes might fit into the transport network.
You can view the draft plan and provide comment until Monday 9 February 2026 here.
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