One Community. 35% of All Regional Transport Submissions.
- 14th June 2026
- Council & Advocacy
- 3 min read
Backed by strong community participation, the submission outlines a coordinated vision for transport, flooding, drainage & resilience planning.
The Suffolk Park Community Association has lodged a submission to the NSW Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP), calling for recognition of Byron Bay's Southern Gateway Corridor as a priority transport resilience corridor for the Northern Rivers.
Why?
Because the challenges facing our community extend well beyond a single intersection.
They involve road safety, flooding, drainage, emergency access, active transport, environmental protection & the long-term resilience of the southern gateway into Byron Bay.
A Strong Community Voice
The SRITP consultation received 606 submissions from across Northern New South Wales.
Independent analysis identified 211 submissions associated with Suffolk Park, representing approximately 35% of all submissions received across the region.
That level of participation sends a clear message.
Suffolk Park residents care deeply about the future of our transport network & the resilience of our community.
More Than an Intersection
While the Clifford Street / Broken Head Road intersection remains a key concern, community feedback highlighted a much broader challenge.
The Southern Gateway Corridor is an interconnected transport, flooding, environmental & emergency access system where the performance of one asset directly affects the resilience of the whole corridor.
From everyday congestion to flood-related disruption, residents consistently highlighted the need for a more resilient Southern Gateway Corridor. The consultation findings revealed several recurring themes.
What the Data Revealed
The NSW Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) consultation received 606 submissions from across Northern New South Wales.
Independent analysis identified 211 submissions associated with Suffolk Park, representing approximately 35% of all submissions received. Many of these submissions related directly to issues affecting the Southern Gateway Corridor.
The analysis identified the following recurring themes:
| Theme | Submissions | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Road Safety | 119 | 56.4% |
| Traffic & Congestion | 81 | 38.4% |
| Flooding & Drainage | 37 | 17.5% |
| Active Transport | 37 | 17.5% |
| Emergency Access & Evacuation | 15 | 7.1% |
| Environmental Protection & Water Quality | 13 | 6.2% |
*Based on 149 Southern Gateway Corridor submissions. Individual submissions may be represented in multiple categories; percentages therefore do not total 100%.
While these priorities will be familiar to many Suffolk Park residents, their significance lies in the fact that they emerged independently through a NSW Government consultation process. The consistency between local community engagement & the SRITP submissions strengthens the case for action and demonstrates that these concerns are both long-standing and widely shared.
What SPCA Is Asking For
The submission calls on Transport for NSW to:
- Recognise the Southern Gateway Corridor as a priority regional transport resilience corridor.
- Include the corridor within the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan.
- Support integrated planning that combines transport, flooding, drainage & environmental outcomes.
- Support preparation of a Southern Gateway Corridor Resilience Study & Business Case.
- Prioritise investigation & future funding pathways for corridor improvements.
- Strengthen evacuation capability & network resilience for Suffolk Park, Broken Head & southern Byron Bay.
What Happens Next?
The Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan will help guide future transport priorities across the Northern Rivers.
While there is still work ahead, the strength of community participation has ensured that Suffolk Park's voice has been heard.
The SPCA will continue advocating for practical, evidence-based solutions that improve safety, resilience & liveability for our community.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their ideas, experiences & feedback throughout the consultation process.
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