Until recently, Newcastle has been a ‘ten-minute city’. Traffic jams were unknown, roads were uncrowded, and it was a short drive anywhere. Suddenly, it seems to have changed. A number of traffic flow ‘hot-spots’ have formed, that short trip from home to work is taking longer, and parking is chaotic or almost impossible. Level crossings and rail corridors divide the city. The future development of the Hunter depends on solving these problems.
The Hunter Independent Public Transport Inquiry (HIPTI) has been investigating possible transport strategies for Newcastle and the Hunter Region, and is about to produce its report. Meanwhile, the NRMA has also been investigating the region’s transport and traffic challenges.
At the next public forum hosted by Newcastle-based think-tank The New Institute, prominent architect Edward Duc and economist Howard Dick shall present the findings of the HIPTI review. NRMA Director and Newcastle businessman Kyle Loades shall present the findings of the NRMA’s investigations and recommendations about transport options for the region.
These presentations will then be followed by public discussion, including commentary from other interest groups. The discussion shall be facilitated to ensure that particularly contentious issues (or personalities) do not sidetrack the debate into unproductive repetition of entrenched views.
This forum aims to move discussion of the transport challenges facing Newcastle and the Hunter Region away from bitterly entrenched and polarised positions, and onto consideration of feasible and realistic options for the region’s future.
THIS FORUM IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
VENUE: Hunter Room, Newcastle City Hall
DATE: Tuesday 10th April 2012
TIME: 7.00 till 8.30pm ADMISSION: $5 Donation
FURTHER DETAILS: www.newinstitute.org.au or Angie at 0422401129
NEXT MEETING:
May 8th:- Infrastructure and Development – What’s happening to the Hunter Development Corporation, and the Hunter Infrastructure Investment Fund?
Click the logo to download a flyer for this event.
