To strengthen the business cases for regional connectivity, governments should first look for ways to increase the vibrancy, amenity and local activity levels of Smaller Cities and Regional Centres along proposed transport corridors. Short-term catalytic investment in these places would be the most effective approach.
In addition, there should be new local links (such as extra bus services and cycle paths) to service the anticipated onward journeys of travellers that future transport interchanges will attract.
This should be supported by local accessibility improvements that improve the amenity of Smaller Cities and Regional Centres.
These activities will support the growth of Smaller Cities and Regional Centres as attractive locations for residential settlement and business investment and encourage the development of activity precincts.
By attracting more Jobs and businesses to Smaller Cities and Regional Centres, population growth will follow and transport connectivity to these communities will improve.
For places along significant corridors, the Australian Government should adopt a staged investment approach that delivers incremental transport improvements. The increments should be prioritised based on the ability of the investment to enable the place to realise national policy objectives and desired land use outcomes.