NSW has never had a Walking Strategy. You Can Change That.

New South Wales

16 May

NSW has never had a Walking Strategy. That's about to change — but only if enough people speak up.

The NSW Government has released the Walkable NSW Discussion Paper, the foundation for the state's first-ever Walking Strategy. Transport for NSW wants to hear from community members, councils, industry and partners about how to make walking easier, safer and more accessible. This is a rare and genuine opportunity to influence how government plans, funds and designs streets and public spaces for people on foot.

Make your submission at: Walkable NSW Have Your Say. Or if you want a seat at the table, request an invitation to an online roundtable discussion.

Not sure what to say? Our Coalition partner WalkSydney has got you covered. Pick one of the messages below, copy it, paste it into the submission form. Otherwise write your own, even if it’s only a few sentences. The more personal your message, the more powerful it is. With more submissions, there are more voices, so it is much harder to ignore us.

10 SAMPLE SUBMISSION MESSAGES (copy, paste, personalise)

1. SAFE STREETS
"I walk every day but I don't always feel safe doing it. Cracked footpaths, no shade, missing crossings and cars that don't stop make walking feel like an afterthought. NSW's Walking Strategy needs to make safe, continuous footpaths a minimum standard — not a luxury."

2. WALKING AS TRANSPORT
"Walking is the most popular form of transport in NSW, yet it gets the least funding and planning attention. A walking strategy must treat footpaths and crossings as genuine transport infrastructure — properly maintained, funded and designed for all ages and abilities."

3. HEALTH AND WELLBEING
"More walkable streets mean healthier communities and lower healthcare costs. I want the NSW Walking Strategy to set measurable targets for increasing walking rates and reducing car dependency, so future governments are held to account."

4. CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY
"Every trip made on foot is one less car on the road. A credible Walkable NSW strategy should align with our climate commitments by investing in the walking infrastructure that makes car-free living a realistic choice — not just for the fit and able, but for everyone."

5. OLDER PEOPLE AND ACCESSIBILITY
"As our population ages, walkability becomes a matter of independence and dignity. I urge the Walking Strategy to prioritise accessible footpaths, safe crossing times, seating and shade — so that older people and people with disabilities can walk safely and confidently."

6. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
"Children who can walk or ride to school arrive healthier, happier and more focused. Yet fear of traffic forces families into cars, making streets even more dangerous. NSW's Walking Strategy should make school routes safe enough that parents feel confident letting their children walk."

7. MISSING LINKS
"Sydney has some of the world's great urban walks, but they're full of gaps. The 91km Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link, the GreenWay, the Bondi to Manly — all need missing links closed. I urge the Government to fund a comprehensive audit of missing walking connections and fix them."

8. LOCAL STREETS AND LIVEABILITY
"Walkable neighbourhoods are more liveable, more economically vibrant and more socially connected. I want the Walking Strategy to give councils the tools, funding and guidance to make local streets places where people want to walk — not just cut through."

9. DATA AND ACCOUNTABILITY
"You can't manage what you don't measure. I want NSW's Walking Strategy to include robust data collection on pedestrian volumes, footpath conditions and injury rates — and regular public reporting on progress, so the community can hold government to account."

10. THE WHOLE STATE, NOT JUST THE CITY
"Walkability matters in regional NSW too. Many country towns have no footpaths at all, forcing residents to walk on the road. The Walking Strategy must address the needs of regional and rural communities, not just Sydney, and provide funding to match."

Who knows if they're listening? Let's make it impossible not to. Share this article with everyone you know who cares about walking — the more voices, the better.

Thank you for walking the walk.

Tegan Mitchell is the President of WalkSydney, the peak advocacy body for walkability in Greater Sydney and a coalition partner with Better Streets.