Table 6 Connected places actions

Action Timing

Quick wins:

Review the Northern Rivers Development and Design Manual and develop a locally appropriate amendment for minimum standards for footpaths and cycle paths, incorporation vegetation and shade, for all new streets.

1. Undertake a high-level review of 3 to 4 recent developments to review the walkability and overall accessibility for a diverse population

2. Working closely with the Active Transport Strategy review the level of footpath provision and walkability in new development areas and identify gaps in the existing pedestrian network and provide recommendations for additional path infrastructure

3. Working closely with the Active Transport Strategy and with a particular focus on new development areas consider provision of cycle networks between villages and between new development areas and key destinations (town centres, schools, etc)

4. Review the planning proposal requirements and DCPs to consider the requirement for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for all new urban release areas

5. Review and amend the DCPs to require appropriate end of trip facilities for active transport in new developments

Immediate

Short term

Immediate

Short term

Medium term

Short term

Connected Places Opportunity

There is a significant opportunity to improve the permeability and legibility of the street network to provide for improved walkability in new development areas. Providing a block network with block lengths of approximately 200m delivers a highly permeable and legible urban environment and promotes walking and cycling. Central Grafton’s street network around Clarence and Kent Streets exhibits high permeability with consistent 200m blocks

Examples Of Connected Places Actions

Example 1: Provision of footpaths

The NSW Government developed a Draft Urban Design Guide in 2021 to inform good design outcomes for new urban developments in NSW. The Design Guide recommended infrastructure provisions to prioritise walking and cycling infrastructure for people of all abilities Within the Design Guide is a “design criteria” for the provision of dedicated footpaths in new development on both sides of street carriageways This shown in the text box on the right, and example in Figure 15

The desired provision of footpaths is included in street cross section in DCPs for urban release areas. For example, the cross sections for Wilton Growth Area DCP shows that all local streets have 1.5m minimum width footpaths on both sides of the street (as shown in Figure 10)

It is recommended that Council consider footpaths on both sides of the street for all new streets in new development areas and as a minimum consider a footpath on one side of all news streets for all new developments.

Example 2: Permeable blocks and connectivity

The NSW Government and Transport for NSW developed the Network Planning in Precincts Guide in 2022. This Guide provides strategic design and planning of transport networks to support 15 minute neighbourhoods and 30 minute cities.

A key principle in the Precincts Guide was that provision for pedestrians and micromobility was to be considered first and before other forms of mobility (such as motor vehicles). It recommends developing a street network that encourages walking and cycling and public transport journeys It also recommends a permeable network with a grid like structure, short block length and high intersection density. This is shown in Figure 16 Shade and use of vegetation also needs to be carefully considered as an integral part of the design.

The Network Planning Guide recommends:

- grid like or modular structure with good interconnectivity and predictable layouts

- block lengths in greenfield developments of 120 to 180m with block perimeter of 360m

- more than one intersection per hectare

- adopts filtered permeability providing connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists but restricts motor vehicles

- dedicated walking and cycling facilities

Example 3: Connectivity into district and local networks

Connectivity from new developments into district and regional walking and cycling paths significantly contributes to encouraging and promoting walking and cycling. Inclusion of walking and cycling routes which provide clear linkages from new development to key local destinations, such as schools, active sports facilities, town centres, and foreshore and waterway corridors, is an important component of the urban development layout.

Network Planning in Precincts Guide Principle 5 is for connected direct and comfortable walking and cycling movements. This is shown in the image on the right which shows:

- a permeable local street network

- a dedicated walking and cycling only link centrally in the network

- connectivity back to walking and cycling links along waterway and similar corridors

Figure 17 shows an example of district connectivity at Ballina Heights A walking and cycling network has been dedicated on the south and west of the development. While not located centrally, the location has the advantage of providing a route with minimal road crossings which provides a safe and easy to use route for younger children. This link connects into a district shared path network that provides connectivity into the local district active recreation facility.