RAC survey finds support for urban infill and density development with public transport seen as key

Perth residents believe public transport upgrades are the key to helping with a booming population according to a survey as concerns remain over the resilience of Western Australia’s infrastructure. The study — conducted by RAC — found a vast majority of Perth residents supported urban infill and upgrading public transport to deal with a increase in population. Of the 310 members surveyed, 75 per cent of respondents supported urban infill and 68 per cent supported density development in the right locations. The survey comes after it was revealed Western Australia’s population had grown to 2.98 million as of September, up 2.5 per cent that year, the fastest rate in the country. It is expected the population figures has now surpassed three million by now and is tipped to reach 3.5 million by 2050. The State’s population grew by 2.5 per cent in the year up to September, the fastest in the country. With infrastructure likely to be put under strain due to the population increase, travel remains an important key to the puzzle. The survey found 74 per cent of respondents believed an expanded and improved public transport would help ease transport challenges due to increased population. RAC general manager of external relations Will Golsby said forward-thinking urban planning would help to deal with population pressures. “To meet population and travel demands, careful consideration around transport needs and housing is paramount – the key is better connecting communities,” he said. “Urban planning which incorporates higher density living with better public transport links around activity centres helps manage unnecessary car trips, congestion and travel time. “Currently many employment opportunities are in Perth’s CBD, so urban spawl into outer suburbs that aren’t as well serviced by public transport adds to pressure on roads in peak periods.” The survey also revealed just four per cent of residents in Perth’s North West, North East and South Metropolitan Peel areas took public transport to work or study. For residents within 20km of the CBD public transport was much more prevalent, with 20 per cent opting for busses and trains to get to work and 17 per cent walked to school or daycare. Mr Golsby said the study showed a need. “The survey shows we need to seek opportunities to better connect Perth in ways that encourage alternative modes of transport,” he said. “This includes exploring more urban infill opportunities around activity centres and public transport hubs.” Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief economist Aaron Morey this week said there was still more scope to grow in WA and the State Government focus on public transport needed to be retained. “The area where there needs to be obviously more attention and the government recognises this is in the housing supply, they’re rightly focused on infill and green field sites as well,” he said. “There absolutely needs to be a focus on ensuring that you’re opening up new areas for development, connecting with the basics, you know the water, the electricity, the roads.”