Urban transport infrastructure planning and the public interest: a public health perspective

Objective Transport infrastructure impacts public health. WestConnex in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), is Australia's largest and most expensive transport project. Concerns about the motorway project resulted a NSW parliamentary inquiry into project's impacts. Submissions to were analysed investigate their emphasis on health cost-benefit analysis underpinning business case. Study type Quantitative content qualitative thematic analysis. Methods There 556 submissions made impact of The random sample 93 (20%) individual was identify concerns. A purposive 81 by named groups including political parties organisations separately (15% total submissions). Results Most (63%) mentioned at least one aspect Air pollution children's frequently issues. In sample, (64%) concerned (CBA), concerns that being underestimated economic benefits overestimated CBA. Conclusions This study demonstrates how require early consideration within cases for urban projects, later during environmental assessment. Systems communicating involving decision making need be improved, alongside greater transparency CBA planning cycle.