Transport Oriented Development in Australia

Transport Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban planning method that encourages sustainable and mixed-use development around transport hubs and aims to create vibrant and walkable communities.

With Australia’s growing urban growth challenges, TOD can help promote sustainability, address housing demand, and integrate better public transport systems. TOD encourages sustainability by providing residents with more transport options thereby reducing the reliance on and use of private cars to travel. This urban planning method also addresses housing demand by building more affordable homes or rental properties in urban areas.

Many cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Paris and Copenhagen, use the TOD approach to create more sustainable and connected communities.

In this article, we’ll explore how New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria are building more activity centres in line with the principles of TOD to create more sustainable, vibrant cities.

What is Transport Oriented Development?

Transport oriented development aims to create sustainable growth by building high density housing near the metro and rail stations. These are some of the principles for successful transport oriented development in Australia.

1. High Density

A well-planned transport oriented development focuses on creating high density housing, such as mid-rise apartments of up to five storeys and higher-rise buildings close to train and metro stations.

2. Mixed-Use Development

TOD areas are a mix of residential, retail, commercial and community uses. This includes ground-floor shops, businesses, restaurants and cafes.

3. Proximity To Public Transport

Building mid-rise apartments and high rise buildings near train or tram stations is one of the goals when building transport oriented developments in Australia.

With proximity to rapid and frequent public transport, people can easily commute to work, shops or anywhere they want.

4. Walkability

TOD encourages walking by creating walkable neighbourhoods where residents can walk to meet their daily needs including going to the supermarket, schools, work or local health facilities. TOD also promotes building wider pathways, parks and playgrounds in urban areas.

5. Reduced Car Dependency

TODs reduce car dependency by clustering a mix of land uses within walking distance of stations and building more bike lanes.

Benefits of Transport-Oriented Development in Australia

Here are some of the economic, social and environmental benefits of implementing TOD in Australia:

1. Sustainability

TOD reduces greenhouse gas emissions by creating compact, walkable communities within walking distance of train stations, bus interchanges, and light rail stops. This enables people to live, work and play without relying heavily on a car for mobility since they can walk, cycle or take public transportation.

2. Improved Liveability

Transport oriented development approach helps build a stronger sense of community and improve quality of life by creating compact, walkable neighbourhoods. Building a broad mix of land use gives residents easier access to shops, restaurants, community and recreation activity centres, schools, hospitals and public transport.

3. Reduced Urban Sprawl

TOD helps reduce urban sprawl and preserves open spaces and natural areas by focusing on building higher-density developments in existing urban areas.

4. Economic Growth

TOD offers many economic benefits including creating more jobs and attracting businesses. This planning method also helps boost local economies since having concentrated development near transit hubs increases foot traffic and commercial opportunities.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia’s population growth in urban areas grew over 500,000 in the year ending June 2023. This is the largest population growth recorded since 1971.

With the growing urban population, there is now a growing need for innovative infrastructure solutions and urban planning policies promoting TOD. Initiatives such as the Sydney Region Plan, ShapingSEQ Plan and Melbourne’s Plan Melbourne 2050 are actively promoting TOD principles to address housing affordability, reduce congestion and create sustainable communities.

TOD in New South Wales (NSW)

Major TOD Areas in NSW

1. Sydney Metro Northwest (e.g., Bella Vista, Rouse Hill)

Sydney Metro Northwest is the largest public transport project in Australia. This project is expected to be the country’s first fully automated metro rail system and will deliver eight new railway stations.

The NSW government also plans to integrate residential, commercial and retail spaces along the Sydney Metro Northwest line.

TOD residents can combine using the Sydney Metro Northwest transport system with daily activities including shopping, working, dropping children off at childcare centres and more.

2. Parramatta (Greater Parramatta to Olympic Peninsula - GPOP)

Parramatta is rapidly transforming into a second CBD. Over $10 billion will be invested in constructing roads, light rail, schools, hospitals, universities, offices, shops, accommodation, a museum, a sports stadium, and new public spaces.

In a report published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, there are 10 major build-to-rent projects in various stages projected to house 20,000 people within the next decade.

3. Green Square Urban Renewal Area

Following the principles of transport oriented development, the 278-hectare Green Square inner-city area is being transformed into a vibrant, sustainable and connected community.

The urban renewal project is taking place across Beaconsfield and Zetland, and parts of Rosebery, Alexandria and Waterloo.

The NSW government is planning on building new community spaces, a primary school, plaza, aquatic centre, childcare centre, library and creative hub.

NSW State Policies Supporting TOD

NSW Government’s Sydney Region Plan aims to build a metropolis of three cities - Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City - where residents live within 30 minutes of their jobs, education, health facilities, services and other great places.

TOD in Queensland (QLD)

Major TOD Areas in QLD

1. Brisbane Cross River Rail Precincts (e.g., Woolloongabba, Boggo Road)

The Cross River Rail network is a 10.2-kilometre rail line and a 5.9-kilometre twin tunnel that is designed to transform the way people travel across South East Queensland. The cross-river rail priority development areas are:

Albert Street Criss River Rail

Boggo Road Cross River Rail

Roma Street Cross River Rail

State-owned Queensland Investment Corporation is planning on building a $750 million mixed-use precinct opposite the new Albert Street Cross River Rail Station which will be delivered over a 10 to 15-year timeframe.

This new precinct will have 40 storeys of mixed-use development, such as office space, retail and dining options.

2. South Bank and Kangaroo Point

The South Bank master plan includes building more active transport and planting more trees. The plan includes three main points for improvement - at Grey Street, Southern Gateway and Northern Gateway.

The construction of Kangaroo Point Bridge is another anticipated project that will improve the public transport system in Brisbane. With a length of 460 metres, the Kangaroo Point Bridge will link Kangaroo Poin to the CBD and the easter suburbs.

The bridge will also have dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths, dining venues, viewing platforms and rest points with panoramic views of the the Brisbane River and the city.

3. Gold Coast Light Rail Corridor (e.g., Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise)

The Gold Coast Light Rail Corridor is one of Gold Coast’s biggest infrastructure projects designed to create a modern and accessible city.

This transformative public transport system is more than 20 kilometres long and has 19 stations from Helensvale to Broadbeach South.

Parklands to Broadbeach (Complete)

Parklands to Helensvale (Complete)

Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads (Next Stage)

Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta via Gold Coast Airport (Future Stage)

In the first three years of operation, the Parklands to Helensvale route averaged about 21, 000 passengers per day. This project has helped ease traffic congestion, improve accessibility across the city and supported Queensland’s economic growth.

QLD State Policies Supporting TOD

The ShapingSEQ plan aims to promote sustainable development in South East Queensland. The plan includes building more sustainable and affordable communities near areas with high accessibility to employment, services, amenities and natural areas.

TOD in Victoria (VIC)

Major TOD Areas in VIC

1. Melbourne Metro Tunnel Precincts (e.g., Arden, Parkville)

Once the Melbourne Metro Tunnel opens in 2025, it will provide passengers with five new underground stations and direct transportation access to new destinations including St Kilda Road, North Melbourne and major health and education precincts.

These five new stations are Arden Station, Parkville Station, State Library Station, Town Hall Station and Anzac Station. These new stations are set to open in 2025 as part of the new line from Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham.

In line with the TOD program in Victoria, the Arden Station area is expected to become home to 20,000 residents and provide more than 34, 000 jobs.

2. Docklands

The Docklands is one of the largest urban renewal projects in the country with approximately $14.6 billion in private investment over the last 25 years.

The development plan includes 10,000 apartments completed or under construction, almost 11 hectares of green parks and reserves, and world-class Marvel Stadium and waterfront.

3. Sunshine Station Precinct

The Sunshine Station masterplan aims to set the Sunshine Station as a transport superhub that links the Melbourne Airport and Melbourne CBD.

The masterplan also focuses on creating a healthy and sustainable place prioritising walking, cycling and public transport. Some of the projects outlined in the masterplan include:

A new bus interchange

A new station plaza and entrance

New shared user paths and open space

New pick up / drop off areas

Creation of a development site

Intersection upgrades around the bus interchange

Victorian State Policies Supporting TOD

The Plan Melbourne 2017 - 2025 will guide the city’s growth for the next 35 years supporting jobs, housing and transport while building a distinct, liveable and sustainable community for all residents.

One of the initiatives for Plan Melbourne 2017 - 2025 is creating well-designed 20-minute neighbourhoods connected through a mix of land uses, housing types and access to quality public transport.

The Role of Activity Centres in TOD

What Are Activity Centres?

Activity centres are mixed-use urban areas often located around transit hubs where people live, work, shop, study or socialise. The following are common examples of activity centres in Australia:

Central business districts

Suburban centres

Neighbourhood activity centres

Activity Centres and TOD Integration

Activity centres promote high-density living, retail, and office spaces by building mixed-use developments near transport hubs. This decreases car dependency and encourages more people to walk or cycle to their destinations.

In New South Wales, Parramatta is set to become a metropolitan activity centre with more commercial opportunities and high-density residential developments.

Meanwhile, Brisbane CBD and South Bank are fast becoming the top destinations in Queensland with their vibrant economic hubs. For Victoria, Box Hill and Sunshine Precinct are part of Melbourne’s TOD-linked activity centres that are designed to boost employment and investment opportunities.

Benefits to Property and Communities

There are many benefits to establishing TODs, including creating vibrant, economically thriving neighbourhoods and improved property values near activity centres.

Property values increase when it’s located near transport hubs since residents often look for properties with easy access to transit services. This reduces their commute times and makes running errands more manageable.

Another benefit of TODs to property and communities is improved property values near activity centres. Proximity to TOD areas leads to higher property valuations because the place becomes a more prime location for different land uses including commercial, residential and mixed-use.

Conclusion

Transport oriented development (TOD) addresses urban growth challenges in Australia by building high-density, mixed-use developments near transport nodes.

The initiatives in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria show how TOD plans can create liveable, connected, walkable and vibrant communities while supporting the country’s economic growth.

Whether you’re a property professional or homeowner, it’s important to explore TOD areas and understand their role in Australia’s urban future as it can be a useful tool when planning or selecting sites based on transport accessibility.