The success of the Gong Shuttle free bus service in Wollongong could one day lead to similar services being set up in Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven.

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison launched the draft Illawarra Shoalhaven Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan in Wollongong last Tuesday, billed as a 20-year vision to guide the region’s transport future.

The NSW Government is calling on the local communities to have their say on how transport in the region evolves.

With the population of the area, which runs from Helensburgh to Ulladulla, expected to rise by around 150,000 over the next two decades, it is essential that road, rail and bus transport in particular are planned correctly and delivered promptly.

The draft plan sets out priorities based on evidence, data and consultation with more than 40 stakeholders, including councils and community groups.

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said the Gong Shuttle, which he described as “Wollongong’s subway”, had been a raging success since it was launched in 2012.

And he wanted it to be a blueprint for how local transport networks are formulated over the next two decades.

“We know that the success of the Gong Shuttle, one of the most successful bus nodes and corridors in the country, is not by mistake because it came about because of engagement with the community and identifying the key spots along a route that would make a difference,” he said.

“I want people to be able to see what's in here (the draft plan) - if what they believe is important is not here please say it.

“Now is an opportunity for the community to have their say transport matters in this region.”

Aitchison said “if the demand is going to be there for particular areas, we will do it” when asked about the Gong Shuttle service.

She accused the previous Coalition government of excluding MPs in the region, blindsiding them with transport plans.

“We would wake up in the morning and find out that a plan was being launched in our community about transport - it didn't speak to local council considerations, it didn't take input from local members, it didn't take input from community,” she said.

“We want our investment in transport in roads, in rail, in active transport to be strategic. We want them to be regionally focused not just one electorate that the Coalition was trying to win 10 years ago.

“Our biggest priority here in the Illawarra is around housing, busting congestion and safety.”

Aitchison added that high-frequency bus services are needed in the region to complement the rail network.

“We know that's a growing thing that growing communities need to get cars off the road. But also with our road users we want to ensure that they're getting safe trips and that those trips are resilient.”

Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the Government was not looking at “a band-aid for a bullet wound”.

“We are looking at future-proofing the way we move around this city and the broader Shoalhaven.

“It’s not going to happen in five minutes … it is going to be important for jobs, important for businesses and important for the community.

“There are a lot of elderly people within our communities that find it difficult to get around and the reason why there's a lot of loneliness within our communities is because people can't get around.

“It's hard to get on a bus and it's hard to get on a train - the services just aren't there.”

When asked about the possibility of electrification of the rail line south of Kiama, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said there were “a range of priorities for the South Coast Rail Line which is why we're undertaking that task of the Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan.

“We have to feature in whatever plans there might be and whatever timeline that might be within the budget constraints that we might have at any given point.

“We've found that (South Coast) was one of the more neglected rail lines on the entire network and that's why over recent weeks we've had some substantive investments and some frustrating and inconvenient shutdowns to do the maintenance work.”

He said more than 20,000 people were expected to take up residence in 200 hectares of redeveloped surplus industrial land at Port Kembla which is serviced by four existing train stations, opening the door for the Illawarra to have its own self-contained rail network.

During the public feedback period, Transport for NSW staff will be out across the region speaking directly with residents at local pop-up sessions.

Community members can view the draft plan and provide comments until 9 February at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/illawarra-shoalhaven.