New South Wales releases 20-year transport plan for Central West and Orana

The New South Wales Government has released the final Central West and Orana Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP), a 20-year vision for a region spanning nearly 13 million hectares. The plan aims to support a growing population, which is projected to reach 325,000 by 2041.

Key initiatives include investigating rail infrastructure upgrades to increase service frequency between Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, and Sydney. The plan also focuses on expanding day-return bus and coach services to connect smaller communities with regional hubs. To improve logistics, the government intends to develop a freight network plan to enhance road access to intermodal terminals and promote rail freight usage.

Other proposed measures involve investigating potential bypasses for population centers, developing town entry gateway treatments, and exploring streamlined funding models for local council road maintenance. Additionally, the plan addresses connectivity along the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road between Bathurst and Western Sydney.