Limestone Coast residents are being urged to have their say on a landmark new holistic transport strategy being developed that will guide policy outcomes for the future.
The strategy is being driven by significant changes including population growth and increased vehicle congestion – while prioritising road safety and maximising public transport use.
To ensure the transport strategy is shaped by everyday South Australians as well as industry experts, interactive pop-up sessions will be hosted in Mount Gambier on Saturday and Robe on Sunday, with participants being asked about their transport preferences through an interactive 3D virtual reality experience.
During the innovative VR immersion participants will be asked to rank a series of transport priorities from most important to least important.
Their answers will generate an on-the-spot personalised virtual reality animation experience, helping participants visualise what a city, suburban, regional or industrial area could look like in the future.
Each user’s reality will differ depending on how the questions are answered.
In addition to the VR experience, tailored surveys have also been developed to be completed by the general public, businesses and local councils.
These surveys will ask participants about their local community, employment, mode of transport and how transport in their area could be improved.
The strategy will guide the planning of the state’s transport network and how we best use new technology.
It will focus on enhancing statewide connectivity, improving access to essential services, and creating a more liveable South Australia.
The 30-year transport strategy will support better-planned transport projects across the state that align with community needs and expectations, potentially saving billions of dollars in delayed, re-scoped or cancelled projects.
The results from the VR experience and survey will help shape five key elements of the 30-year plan.
These include connectivity and accessibility – connecting people and goods to where they need to go; safety – feeling confident and secure when we travel; prosperity – supporting economic growth, productivity and prosperity; liveability – supporting wellbeing, inclusivity and quality of life; and sustainability and resilience – environmentally and financially sustainable as well as resilient.
The strategy is expected to be completed in 2025.
Anyone unable to attend a pop-up VR session can still get involved by exploring an online version or completing the online survey.
Find a live VR experience near you or have your say at transportstrategy.sa.gov.au
Limestone Coast residents can take part in the sessions at Mount Gambier Central from 9am-12noon on Saturday, and at the Robe Library and Visitor Centre from 10.30am-1.30pm on Sunday.
