Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange

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The Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange (LMTI) will help turn Glendale into a new employment 'super hub' for the Lower Hunter, unlocking the potential to create more than 3,800 local jobs, 90 hectares of land for new commercial and light industrial development, and the construction of about 2,700 new residences.

The project will provide a major connection between Glendale and Cardiff, creating an important transit interchange that will meet the future transport needs of the Lower Hunter region.

The NSW Government's Hunter Regional Plan 2036 has identified the LMTI as a high-priority infrastructure project because of its potential to unlock growth and improve the connectivity and viability of major centres throughout the Hunter region.

Following the opening of the first road links in June 2017, the next step of the LMTI project is construction of the highly anticipated Pennant Street Bridge.

Once complete, the Pennant Street Bridge would provide the 'missing link' between Glendale and Cardiff, and confirm Glendale as the growth centre for the Lower Hunter due to its central location and links to existing transport infrastructure that connect with Sydney and the rest of the region.

Independent studies commissioned by Council estimated more than 16,000 vehicles would use the proposed bridge every day, including 1,500 trucks, vans and other heavy vehicles. The campaign to secure $32 million in funding for the next stage of this project has been backed by local MPs, other councils in the Hunter region and regional business groups, as well as individual businesses, such as Stockland, the Hunter Development Corporation, NRMS and Lake Mac Business.

How the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange will be delivered

Stage 1: Road links

Stage 1, Section 1 of the project involved extending and realigning Glendale Drive, as well as extending Stockland Drive, in Glendale. The extension of Stockland Drive provides a new access to Hunter Sports Centre and Stockland Glendale, relieving traffic congestion. Construction is now complete.

Stage 1, Section 2 includes the plans to extend Pennant Street in Cardiff over the main northern railway line (known as Pennant Street Bridge) to the newly provided intersection of Glendale Drive and Stockland Drive in Glendale. These roads will create a direct link between Cardiff and Glendale.

Stage 2: Railway station and transport interchange

Council is continuing to work with Transport for NSW to monitor patronage and demand for a train station at Glendale in the long term. In June 2017, the NSW Government committed $1.7 million in funding to complete a strategic business case for the remaining stages of the LMTI.

Future direction

The next step: Construction of the Pennant Street Bridge

The Pennant Street Bridge is the 'missing link' that will connect Glendale and Cardiff, allowing Glendale to become a true regional transport and employment super hub by unlocking exponential employment, commercial and residential growth for the area. At present, the Sydney-Newcastle rail line splits the Glendale-Cardiff employment zone in half, meaning road access is heavily congested, hindering access across the two sectors and discouraging businesses from setting up in the area.

This next stage of the project has strong support from key community groups, including the NRMA, Lake Mac Business, the Hunter Development Corporation and individual business. Building the missing link will open up Glendale to further business development, further investment and the creation of thousands of new jobs.

 

Why sourcing funding for the Pennant Street Bridge is so important

The proposed bridge will provide access to at least 90 hectares of land for new commercial and light industrial development, as well as access to land earmarked for residential growth.

It will provide access to unlock the potential to create more than 4,800 local jobs, 90 hectares of land for new commercial and light industrial development, and the construction of around 3,600 new residences.

This stage of the project will provide further benefits, cutting travel times between Glendale and Cardiff, saving residents time and money and helping to reduce pollution locally. Independent studies commissioned by Council estimate that more than 16,000 vehicles wou use the proposed bridge every day, including 1,500 trucks, vans and other heavy vehicles. This next stage requires $26 million in State and Federal funding. An independent economic appraisal commissioned by Council estimates that the Pennant Street Bridge and extension of Munibung Road have an expected benefit cost ratio of 3.8.

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Project supports

The LMTI has been identified by the NSW Government's Lower Hunter Regional Strategy 2006-2031 as a high-priority infrastructure project because of its potential to unlock growth and improve connectivity and the viability of major centres throughout the Hunter Region.

Completion of the LMTI would result in the creation of more than 3,800 local jobs, unlock more than 90 hactares of land for new employment and provide an opportunity for almost 2,700 new residences.

Due to the significant impact this project would have both locally and regionally, it has the support of numerous community leaders and stakeholders.

"It remains the stated and unanimous view of the Board of Hunter Councils - the Mayors of the 11 local government areas of the Hunter Region - that the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange is the number one infrastructure priority for the councils and communities of the Hunter Region." Roger Stephan, CEO the Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils

"The Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange is recognised as critical infrastructure for the cities of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle, and will be a key part of the Lower Hunter transport network. It will bring significant and long overdue improvements to road and rail facilities in the region as well as substantial flow-on economic and employment benefits." Greg Piper MP, Member for Lake Macquarie

"The long-awaited Lake Macquarie Integrated Transport Interchange at Glendale could be a model for the rest of the country. It would encourage public transport use and provide economic and community benefit to thriving outer suburbs. A direct link between Glendale and Cardiff to relieve traffic congestion is a first priority." Kyle Loades, President NRMA

"The Hunter Business Chamber is pleased to provide its support for the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange project. The Chamber believes the project will provide significant benefit to business and the community. The construction of the Pennant Street Bridge will allow Glendle to link and combine with the Cardiff industrial estate and provoke a wave of redevelopment and renewal in the locality and wiser region. The eventual addition and integration of bus and rail connections over time will seed the growth of a vital transport hub serving one of the fastest growing districts in the region." Bob Hawes, CEO Hunter Business Chamber

"The Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange is the Hunter region's highest priority infrastructure project, with the potential to unlock economic growth, create local jobs and improve connectivity. The Pennant Street Bridge component will improve travel times and create commercial, industrial and residential development at the geographic heart of the lower Hunter." Ferrier Hodgson, Deed Administrator, Pasminco Cockl Creek Smelter Pty Ltd

"Councils need master plans to deliver improved infrastructure in a coordinated manner that leads to sound economic and social benefits for the region as part of a coordinated state-wide approach. Engineers Australia's Newcastle Division therefore supports Lake Macquarie City Council's approach to long-term transport infrastructure planning for the region. We encourage all levels of government to work with the Council on coordinated infrastructure delivery." Helen Link, General Manager, Engineers Australia (Newcastle Division)

"Building the Pennant Street Bridge over the Sydney-Newcastle rail line will provide the crucial link between the currently divided employment zone, unlocking economic growth in the area and invigorating development in the region's urban release areas." Stephen Albin, Chief Executive, Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW (UDIA)

LMTI supporters

Business and industry sector supporters

  • National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA)
  • Property Council of Australia
  • Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW (UDIA)
  • Hunter Business Chamber
  • Lake Macquarie Business
  • Lake Macquarie Combined Chambers
  • Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce
  • Engineers Australia
  • Daracon
  • Stockland
  • Downer
  • Ferrier Hodgson, Deed Administrator, Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Pty Ltd
  • Hunter Sports Centre
  • Dantia
  • Regional Development Australia

 Government sector supporters

  • Jodie Harrison MP, State Member for Charlestown
  • Greg Piper MP, State Member for Lake Macquarie
  • Clayton Barr MP, State Member for Cessnock
  • Sonia Hornery MP, State Member for Wallsend
  • Pat Conroy MP, Federal Member for Shortland
  • Joel Fitzgibbon MP, Federal Member for Hunter
  • Board of Hunter Councils - Mayors of 11 government areas in the Hunter Region