Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Croydon Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements

Last night Pedestrian Safety improvements along Croydon Road took a step further.
Cnr Croydon Road and Anthony Street, 29 Aug 2017

My three NOMs on Pedestrian Safety were resolved at the Council Meeting 12 October 2017 including
  • C1017 Item 14 Motion: Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Safety on Croydon Road, Croydon (Da Cruz/Porteous) and 
  • C1017 Item 15 Notice of Motion: Pedestrian Safety on Frederick Street, Ashfield (Da Cruz/Porteous) Motion Carried

The Crossing on Frederick Street including relocation of a bus stop were implemented in June 2018.

Last night, the Council adopted the recommendation and minutes of the 4 December Traffic Committee meeting with an amendment in response to a resident's concerns about the urgent need for a pedestrian crossing at Church Street [Item 8.2 below] and correction of a typo at Queen Street [item 7-1(f) below].


Item 7 THAT:



1.   The report be received and noted;



2.   The following proposed treatments as listed below be approved in principle subject to detailed design and further consultation with affected residents at each location:



a)   Provide a speed cushion in Croydon Road on the approach to Elizabeth Street (Figure 2-Location 1);



b)   Widen the north-west corner of Anthony Street and Croydon Road, provide a refuge facility in Croydon Road south of Anthony Street, and speed cushion in Croydon Road north of Anthony Street (Figure 3-Location 2);



c)   Provide kerb-blisters in Edwin Street North at the intersection to Anthony Street (Figure 4-Location 3);



d)   Remove the horizontal deflection device and replace it with a pedestrian refuge island facility in Croydon Road between Kenilworth Street and Gregory Avenue, and provide speed cushions in Croydon Road on both approaches to Kenilworth Street and Gregory Avenue (Figure 5- Location 4);



e)   Provide a pedestrian refuge in Croydon Road between Ranger Road and John Street, and a 10 metre length double white centreline in John Street at the approach to Croydon Road (Figure 6-Location 5);



f)    Provide a pedestrian refuge opening in the splitter island in Croydon Road, north of the roundabout intersection with Queen Street Church Street, and provide a speed cushion in Croydon Road on  the southern end approach to Queen Street (Figure 7-Location 6);



g)   Provide short length painted double white centre lines in Bay Street at the approach to Croydon Road, and in Croydon Road south of Bay Street (Figure 8-Location 8); and



h)   Provide a central median island in Dalmar Street at Croydon Road (Figure 9- Location 9);



3.   The existing ‘No Stopping’ restriction on the western side of Elizabeth Street be extended by 2-3m from 10m to a distance of approx. 12-13m north of Croydon Road;



4.   A ‘No Stopping’ restriction on the eastern side of Elizabeth Street be installed at a distance of approx. 12-13m north of Croydon Road; and



5.    ‘No Stopping’ restrictions be installed in Anthony Street for a distance of 5 metres west and 7 metres east of the laneway, between Edwin Street and Croydon Road.



6.    Speed cushions across the width of Croydon Road on approach to Gregory Avenue be investigated.



7.    The road level textured/coloured entry threshold treatment on Bay Street and John Street be removed from the design.


ITEM 8 THAT:



1.   The proposed ‘right turn lane’ in Church Street (east) with associated ‘No Stopping’ restrictions at the intersection of Croydon Road and speed hump/cushion in Croydon Road, north of Church Street be approved in principle, subject to detailed design and further consultation with affected residents at this location; and



2.   The feasibility of providing a pedestrian facility in Croydon Road near/at its intersection with Church Street be investigated, separate to the proposed treatment in Item 1 above. 
    the provision of a pedestrian facility in Croydon Road at its intersection with Church Street to support pedestrian desire line along the southern side of Church Street to Centenary Park be investigated as a matter of urgency for implementation before or with the right hand turning lane in point 1




Campaign against the cuts to the Asylum Seeker's support program (SRSS)

Last night Dulce Munoz Garcia, the National Convenor of  Mums4Refugees came and spoke in support of in support of the Inner West Council joining THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAYORAL TASKFORCE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM TO ADVOCATE AGAINST THE SRSS CUTS.

Mums4Refugees first contacted me last July to enlist Inner West Council's support for advocay against the cuts to the SRSS. This lead to the unanimous resolution of Notice of Motion: Advocacy against the cuts to income support for people seeking asylum living in the community

Since that time, the ALP has taken a "new position supporting people seeking asylum in the community during the election period and, if elected, into government" Source: http://backyourneighbour.com.au/about/

Since September 2017 when the changes to the SRSS Program began, the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown has seen an increase of 1242 people seeking assistance, the average time they have been in Australia is 2.4 years. The centre is currently providing support to 3341 people, who are working through the resolution of their protection visas. The centre has found itself providing food, toiletries, councelling and support services in conjunction with STARTTS as well as legal support. Mums4Refugees play a big part in good responses to food and toiletry drives.

My NOM as follows was resolved.That Council:
  1. Endorses the Joint Statement against changes to the Status Resolution Support Service as formulated by Councils that attended the Mayoral Roundtable held in  Dandenong, Victoria on 31 July 2018 shown at Appendix 2;
  2. Joins the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum as a General Member
  3. Endorses the Back Your Neighbour Campaign run by the Taskforce.
  4. Nominates one or more Councillors as the Inner West Council contact(s) to the taskforce

Background

Changes by the Federal Government to the SRSS (Status Resolution Support Services) program are concerning many Councils as it will cut all income and case management support of many people seeking asylum and dramatically increase the demand for material aid resources at the local municipality level.

This action will likely leave many people destitute and requests for places to live, money for clothes, food and medicine, will only escalate and there will likely be an impact on social cohesion. Within Victoria alone, the number at risk from these changes is 5,863.

People seeking asylum were already accessing emergency assistance in increasing numbers from support agencies and other charities such as the Asylum Seeker’s Centre in Newtown. Many of these organisations receive no government funding. Cuts to the SRSS program increase the barriers facing asylum seekers in settling into local communities.
In July, 2018 a Mayoral Roundtable was held of interested in Victorian Councils concerned about the issue. What was agreed was a joint statement see Appendix. Also there was agreement to form an ongoing taskforce to advocate on the issue. This taskforce, the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce for People Seeking Asylum expanded in October 2018 to become national and already has 20 member Councils including four from NSW.
Following the SRSS Mayoral Roundtable held in Dandenong on Tuesday 31 July to discuss joint advocacy against these changes as well as practical responses a group of Victorian Councils has now formed the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum. The Taskforce is chaired by the City of Greater Dandenong Mayor, Cr Roz Blades AM.
On the 3rd December, the Taskforce launched the “Back Your Neighbour” campaign against the cuts. Social Change Projects is managing the Campaign on behalf of the Taskforce and has a strong record in this area, responsible in Victoria for managing the Make Rent Fair campaign and nationally and will be running a strong media and stakeholder campaign from now until at least the Federal election.
Previous Inner West Council Resolution on the SRSS Cuts
At the 24 July 2018 Council Meeting Inner West Council Resolved that:
1. Council writes to the Prime Minister and to the Federal Minister of Home Affairs asking the Federal Government to reverse cuts to the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) program and highlighting the unfair and devastating impact of these cuts on people seeking asylum and the Inner West community’s disagreement with these cuts;

2. Council writes to the Premier of New South Wales asking her to make representation to both the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister of Home Affairs to highlight the devastating impact of these cuts on the NSW community and to reverse the cuts;

3. Members of Parliaments for the seats of Balmain, Heffron, Newtown, Strathfield, Summer Hill and Grayndler; New South Wales Senators; and Members of the NSW Legislative Council are informed of Council’s position;

4. Other NSW Councils are contacted seeking their support for joint advocacy on this issue;

5. Council publicises practical way members of the Inner West Community can work with the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown to support people seeking asylum (https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/live/community-well-being/migrant-support-services)
6. Council considers practical ways of supporting people seeking asylum; and

7. Council works with the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown to organise a civic leaders meetings with community leaders in the Inner West. The meeting will discuss ways the community can collectively address the challenges lying ahead for people seeking asylum.
    1. APPENDIX 1 Taskforce purpose

Coordination of joint state-wide advocacy by Councils and sharing resources and practical responses by communities to the issues caused by the SRSS cuts. 
Councils involved as Executive Members (Executive Members meet monthly and act as a steering group for the Taskforce.): Brimbank City Council, City of Darebin, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Hume, City of Monash, Hobsons Bay City Council, Moreland City Council, Yarra City Council
Councils involved as General Members (General Members get consulted on Taskforce direction, take an active role in Taskforce activities and contribute resources to the Taskforce.):Banyule City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Ballarat, City of Port Phillip, City of Wagga Wagga (NSW), City of Whittlesea, Hawkesbury City Council (NSW), Leeton Shire Council (NSW), Maribynong City Council, Moonee Valley City Council and Wyndham City Council.
    1. Back Your Neighbour Campaign

The Back Your Neighbour Campaign, which was launched on 3 December 2018, has seen 22 Councils band together to ensure people who have fled persecution do not end up suffering homelessness or destitution as a result of the Federal Government cuts. This campaign symbolises a unified approach with Councils from NSW and Victoria involved together with community ambassadors and advocates to have financial and support services reinstated for asylum seekers.
The objectives of the Back Your Neighbour campaign are to:
  • Change (reverse or mitigate) the Federal Government’s current policy on SRSS support for people seeking asylum in the community
  • Increase humanitarian support from the Victorian Government
  • Support the Federal Opposition to maintain its new position supporting people seeking asylum in the community during the election period and, if elected, into government
For more information visit backyourneighbour.com.au or facebook.com/backyourneighbour to join the campaign.
If your Council are interested in joining the Taskforce, or just want further information please contact Peter Johnstone, Coordinator, Community Development, City of Greater Dandenong at peter.johnstone@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Source: http://www.greaterdandenong.com/document/32480/local-government-mayoral-taskforce-supporting-people-seeking-asylum
    1. APPENDIX 2 Joint Statement against changes to the Status Resolution Support Services for People Seeking Asylum

We the undersigned representatives of local governments in Victoria issue the following statement:
We want the Australian Government to provide adequate resources to meet the needs of people seeking asylum who live in the community. Over 4,000 children nationally could be affected by the changes and we call upon the Australia Government to adhere to its national and international obligations in accordance with the Charter of Human Rights.
We strongly believe more effective collaboration and coordination is essential between Commonwealth, State and Local Governments and we seek the following commitments from the Australian Government:
Commitment One: We want the Australian Government to reverse the recent assessment changes to the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) program and provide adequate income and case management support for people seeking asylum while they seek sustainable employment.
Commitment Two: We strongly call on the Australian Government to provide funding to enable accurate initial job readiness assessment by trained employment consultants who understand the unique and significant barriers that people seeking asylum face.
Commitment Three: We want the Australian Government to provide additional funding to enable asylum seekers to be registered as Stream B and C job seekers within the jobactive network of agencies to facilitate ongoing job readiness assessment and skilled employment consultant support.
Commitment Four: The Australian Government needs to improve local area coordination in cooperation with LGA’s. We call on the Australian Government to work with local municipalities in exploring the feasibility of local coordination points to better respond to local area need.
  • Commitment Five: We strongly call on the Australian Government to provide greater resourcing to reinforce the capacity of community service and voluntary organisations to assist people seeking asylum to live safely in local communities and receive emergency relief and material aid support until such time as they receive a substantive visa or are deported. Accountability Additional resourcing will bring with it an obligation to ensure that Local Government allocates resources appropriately and resource areas of identified need. We commit to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. We commit to evaluate the application of resources in people seeking asylum support programs by measuring service delivery against agreed objectives and targets. The evaluation process will include annual program reports and Inter-Governmental consultations to review program effectiveness and refine objectives and activities.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Westconnex Stage 3b Annandale & Rozelle


On 11 February 2019 RMS informed the Inner West Council that it was exercising its powers to take over the following Roads for WestConnex Stage 3B (M4-M5 Link Rozelle Interchange)
  • Gordon Street, Rozelle (No Public Access upon assumption) 
  • Railway Parade, Annandale
  • The Crescent, Annandale
  • Johnston Street, Annandale
  • Victoria Road, Rozelle
  • Quirk Street, Rozelle
  • Hornsey Street, Rozelle
  • Lilyfield Road, Rozelle  
190211 - IWC - Use of Powers under Roads Act - A25434781 (PDF 2.3MB)Source viewed 20 Feb 2019: https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/develop/major-projects/state-projects/westconnex
Crescent and Railway Parade Annandale to be taken over for construction of Westconnex Stage 3B (Rozelle Interchange) Source:190211 - IWC - Use of Powers under Roads Act - A25434781 (PDF 2.3MB)

Gordon Street Rozelle to be taken over for construction of Westconnex Stage 3B (Rozelle Interchange) Source:190211 - IWC - Use of Powers under Roads Act - A25434781 (PDF 2.3MB)
Lilyfield Road, Victoria Road, Quirk Street and Hornsey Street, Rozelle to be taken over for construction of Westconnex Stage 3B (Rozelle Interchange)  Source:190211 - IWC - Use of Powers under Roads Act - A25434781 (PDF 2.3MB)

1675 Trees destroyed or threatened

Lime shows where1675 Trees are threatened  (Source EIS)
The 2017 EIS for Stage 3 of Westconnex identified a threat to 1675 Trees
in the vicinity of the Rozelle Railyards which includes Buruwan Park and
other pockets along White's Creek.

Of the 1675, 107 were identified as high value.

The focus for Biodiversity Impact was the Railyards. Many of the trees
were in the Rozelle Railyards have already been cleared. No threatened
flora and fauna will be removed. There were microbats in the railyards.

No detailed tree or wildlife survey has been done of Buruwan Park or the
areas outside the railyards where vegetation will be destroyed.

355 Trees are to be investigated further for suitablility for retention
including 34 high value trees. This includes "screening" trees at the
intersection of Lilyfield Road and Victoria Road.

For most of the Trees westconnex will get away with replacement planting
in shrinking crowded Green Space, which can't accommodate large trees.

Save Buruwan Park, 15 Feb 2019. Photo Tony Grech
2017 Plan for Rozelle Interchange Westconnex Stage 3 EIS
2018 Plan for Rozelle Interchange Source: July 2018 Update 13.7MB PDF





Construction Plans for the Foreshore, Railway Parade, Crescent and Buruwan Park Annandale Source: Westconnex Rozelle Interchange Fact Sheet 2017

Noise & Night Construction of Rozelle Interchange (Source 2017 EIS)
Concerned? Let these people know:
State Member for Balmain
Jamie Parker MP
02 9660 7586
jamie.parker@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Premier of NSW
Gladys Berejiklian MP
02 8574 5000 *
Email the Premier via this online form
*Can also try the Department of Premier and Cabinet, 02 9228 5555

Minister for WestConnex
Stuart Ayres MP
02 8574 6500
office@ayres.minister.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight
Melinda Pavey MP
02 8574 7300
Email the minister via this online form


Monday, February 18, 2019

1960s Annandale

Camperdown and Annandale Police Stations

"During 1967 the Police premises, formerly occupied as a Police Station but used for some time only as a Police Residence, were re-opened to replace the Camperdown Police Station on Parramatta Road, which were closed down because of inadequate accommodation." - https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/agency/126

Petrol Station

The Annandale Theatre, was demolished in 1961 and replaced with the Petrol Station.

Verandahs and Awnings

Parramatta Road was widened and verandah posts were removed and replaced with awnings.

Goodman Buildings verandahs were removed at some point.
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=1940071

Vietnam War

"Colin Whiston was born in Annandale, in the inner west of Sydney, to Ruby and Thomas Whiston, on May 8th 1945. In January 1965, Colin was a working as a postman when he registered for the National Service Ballot, compulsory for all 20-year-old males." https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1376736

Private Motor Cars

E. J. Mishan, in his book Costs of Economic Growth (1967), refers to as the “plague of motorized traffic” as well as the emission of noxious gases and carcinogenic particulates from motor vehicle exhausts; not to mention the noise pollution, the social disruption involved in building freeways and the raising of sea levels as a result of global warming. I’m not suggesting that we should all join the Greens Political Party but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give some much needed support to Action for Public Transport (9416 8459)." -The Glebe Society and the Battle of the Expressways, The following article was published in the Glebe Society Bulletin of November/December 2004.https://www.glebesociety.org.au/socialhistory/the-glebe-society-and-the-battle-of-the-expressways/

More

Bakeo
http://ramin.com.au/annandale/story-annandale-police-station.shtml#bakeo 


  • Dilys conducted alternate services at Leichhardt and Hunter Baillie Presbyterian churches with her husband and was inducted, in 1969, as the first woman Elder in NSW.
  • The Sydney Push, Greek Community and Annandale Imitation Realists
  • Royal Johnston St and Olympia, Parramatta Road
http://ramin.com.au/annandale/story6-1.shtml

Hoadley Chocolate Plant
http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145180792/view


Construction of Kodak Building, Booth Street 1967
https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/1481158 


Photograph - Kodak Australasia Pty Ltd, Exterior of Factory Building, Annandale, circa 1968 https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/1481192

Buruwan Park Annandale

Buruwan Park Annandale is a rare green space threatened by Westconnex.

Rally, 15 Feb 2019. Photo Tony Grech
The park was created around 1995 by converting Gordon Road Annandale to park and connecting pockets of land owned by Sydney Water and Sydney Trains.

The park is adjacent to White's Creek and has many mature trees including an outstanding Fig Trees. Volunteers and Council contractors have introduced and cared for local provenance plants in the park since its creation.
Buruwan Park, 2018

Buruwan Park, 2018
Buruwan Park provides a pedestrian cycle link between the Rozelle Bay Light Rail Stop and the 433 Bus Stop on  the Crescent Annandale.

It is also provides a pedestrian and cycle link from Railway Parade Annandale to the Crescent, the ANZAC Bridge and the Annandale Foreshore.

Fig marked for destruction. Photo Cassi Plate

Transport NSW wants to destroy the park to widen the Crescent.

The widening of the Crescent was part of the EIS for Stage 3 of Westconnex in 2017. However, new plans for the roads were included in the Western Harbour Tunnel Plans for the Rozelle Interchange.
Westconnex proposed construction site at Railway Pde and the Crescent, Annandale

Source:WestconnexRozelle Interchange Fact Sheet July 2017

Source: July 2018 Update 13.7MB PDF



Rally Buruwan Park, 15 Feb 2019. Photo Tony Grech

Inner West Courier (city and west editions) 26 Feb 2019

Cover:
http://newslocal.smedia.com.au/iw-courier-west/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NLIWCW/2019/02/26&from=1&to=1

page 11 Buruwan Park - RMS did not respond to request for comment!
http://newslocal.smedia.com.au/iw-courier-west/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NLIWCW/2019/02/26&from=13&to=13

article about the tunneling:
http://newslocal.smedia.com.au/iw-courier-city/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NLIWCC/2019/02/26&from=10&to=11

Page 9 Return land to people
http://newslocal.smedia.com.au/iw-courier-west/PrintPages.aspx?doc=NLIWCW/2019/02/26&from=11&to=11

Boomerang Bags Innerwest Annandale Sewing Bee

With Nikki Wedgewood the Coordinator Annandale Sewing Bees
Yesterday, I popped in to check out the Annandale Sewing Bee run by Boomerang Bags Inner West at the Annandale Community Centre, 79 Johnston Street Annandale.

When I arrived, there were lots of people already busy pinning, at sewing machines and overlockers, with a stream of new arrivals armed with machines.

Future Sewing Bees at Annandale
  • SUN 17 March 2019 1-5pm
  • SUN19 May 2019 1-5pm
  • SUN 16 June 2019 1-5pm
  • SUN 21 July 2019 1-5pm
Boomerang Bags Inner West also has sewing bees at Marrickville and Concord.

Boomerang Bags Inner West is doing its part to help us transition to a circular economy by providing an alternative to single use plastic shopping bags.









Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Prioritising the Pedestrian

The Inner West Council 2016 Recreation Study found that Walking was the most popular recreational activity.

Largely designed and built between 1850 and 1940 the pre-car design of our neighbourhoods is conducive to walking. The exetensive tram network also influence development as did the rail lines. Public Transport not only enabled residents to travel it brought workers to the Inner West driving its industrial heritage. 
The tram network may have been destroyed, but buses still largely follow the tram routes. However, since the 1950s the private car has had its impact from the freeways of the 50s to Westconnex.

Governments have prioritised the private car over public transport and shopping malls have been designed to be accessed by motor vehicles.

Yet, despite this people are walking sometimes in very unpleasant situations and at others in quiet pleasant places away from the danger, noise and pollution of the private motor vehicle but also public transport.

So, what are the thing we need to provide to make our city more friendly for pedestrians?


  • Midblock Links and Crossing
  • Shade from the Sun
  • Shelter from the Rain and Wind
  • Safe and Convenient points to cross traffic
  • Comfortable places to rest or wait for public transport
  • Busy places are Safe places - The more people walking along a route day and night makes it safer and more sociable. Isolated places day or night can be less safe.
  • Water to avoid dehydration while walking
  • Public Toilets
  • Consideration during construction or maintenance 

Midblock Crosswalks

Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossings Explained
(Michigan Complete Streets Coalition, 2014)

Midblock crosswalks facilitate crossings to places that people want to go but that are not well served by the existing traffic network...National Association of City Transportation Officials

Speed Limits


We need lower speed limits on many roads in the Inner West. The Balmain Peninsular has a speed limit of 40kmph this should be extended across the Inner West.

City West Link has a staggering 70kmph speed limit!

These Roads have ridiculous 60kmph speed Limit
Parramatta Road, Victoria Road and Liverpool Road through shopping strips and busy bus stops.

Croydon Road, Frederick Street, Darley Road, Johnston Street, Marion Street and Ramsay Street have 50kmph speed limits in busy pedestrian precincts!

Lilyfield Road is second only to the Harbour Bridge with cyclists and yet it has a speed limit of 50kmph

In a bid to reduce the likelihood of pedestrian deaths, motor vehicles shouldn’t be allowed to go faster than 40km/h in high pedestrian active areas – preferably 30 km/h, a new UNSW Sydney study has found.... UNSW, 1 Feb 2019


Noise and Air Pollution

Extraordinary Council Meeting, 3 July 2018: Item No:C0718 Item 15
Subject:Notice of Motion: Improving Cyclist and Pedestrian safety on State Roads in the Inner West LGA.
From: Councillor Marghanita Da Cruz
Motion:
THAT:
  1. The Mayor write to NSW Minister for Roads and Maritime Services noting the announcement of funding to increase liveability and safety in urban communities through infrastructure safety upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users and requesting improvements on State Roads through Residential, Educational, Child Care, Recreational and High Pedestrian Activity locations in the Inner West LGA;
    In particular a reduction in the motor vehicle speeds and improvements in pedestrian and cyclist safety including the reduction of motor vehicle speeds on State Roads in the LGA in particular the following:
    1. The City West Link;
    2. [at] James Street/Darley Road; at Norton Street; at Balmain Road and Catherine Street and the Crescent on City West Link;
    3. Victoria Road and in particular at the crossings at Robert Street, Evans Street and Darling Street, Rozelle;
    4. James St, Darley Road, Foster and Tebbutt Street, Leichhardt including safe crossing points;
    5. Liverpool Road from Elizabeth Street to Frederick Street, Ashfield;
    6. Frederick Street, Ashfield;
    7. Johnston Street, Annandale in particular at Parramatta Road, Booth Street, the Crescent, Annandale Public, Annandale North Public School and Collins Street;
    8. The Crescent, Annandale including intersection with City West Link and Johnston Street;
    9. The major public transport corridor on Parramatta Road from Mallet Street, Annandale to Croydon Road, Croydon; and
  2. Further that the GM request the RMS to carry out an audit of roadside noise and air pollution at the above locations.
Background
The Inner West LGA has a number of very busy state roads pass through our neighbourhoods. Schools and Childcare, Business Precincts and Restaurants are located on these roads making them busy pedestrian precincts and increasingly popular cycling locations.
The NSW Government gave approval to Westconnex Stage 3 in April. This approval included the marshalling of trucks at Whites Bay. The plan involves trucks travelling along City West Link, Parramatta Road and Johnston Street. Westconnex will also induce more traffic on these roads.
The government is also investigating establishing a major construction materials port at Glebe Island, which will also generate truck movements on these urban roads.
"Reductions in the urban speed limit from 60km/h to 50km/h reduced crashes by 25 per cent and injuries by 22 per cent”. “Reasonable speed limits were 30km/h in residential areas, it suggested. In other areas where there were intersections and a high risk of side collisions, 50km/h was appropriate”. - Yes, speed really does kill, says global road safety review, 9 April 2018" : https://www.smh.com.au/national/yes-speed-really-does-kill-says-global-road-safetyreview-20180404-p4z7t1.html
On 10 June 2018 the NSW Government has announced it will spend “$180 million to increase liveability and safety in urban communities through infrastructure safety upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users” - NSW Budget 2018: A record boost to deliver safer roads, 10 Jun 2018, https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/mediareleases/nsw-budget-2018-a-record-boost-to-deliver-safer-roads
Further, to improve the safety of people in our urban places, the NSW Government has said it will:
"Install traffic calming, pedestrian refuges and crossings in busy urban places across NSW, to improve pedestrian and bicycle rider safety, and reduce casualty crashes.
Partner with local government to expand 40km/h in high pedestrian activity and local areas to reduce crashes and protect pedestrians. Explore options to accelerate safety upgrades at intersections through the Safer Roads Program, including:
• Works that deliver safer and more controlled vehicle turning to reduce the risk of dangerous side impact crashes, especially in locations with older and vulnerable road users;
• An expanded pedestrian protection (green on green removal) program and ongoing review of new technology and signal changes for safer pedestrian and bicycle rider movement;
• Raised intersection platforms, profile treatments, and innovative roundabout designs at more urban intersections to reduce serious injuries. Maximise safety integration in bicycle network programs to facilitate safer movement, provide separation from other traffic, where appropriate, and manage vehicle speeds.”
Source: Liveable and safe urban communities; http://www.towardszero.nsw.gov.au/roadsafetyplan.

Officer’s Comments:

Comment from Group Manager Footpaths, Roads, Traffic and Stormwater:
The cost of preparing these letters is $150 of staff time.
ATTACHMENTS Nil.
Resolved Extraordinary Council Meeting 3 July 2018. Minutes at https://innerwest.infocouncil.biz/Open/2018/07/C_03072018_MIN_EXTRA_WEB.htm






Friday, February 1, 2019

Pémpti Perambulers

Pémpti Perambulers

Wonder if evening strolls will take of in Annandale and elsewhere.
To spark the idea, I have initiated Pempti Perambulers.

Pémpti is Thursday in Greek!

Meet for a gentle Thursday evening stroll for all levels of walkers

7-8pm every Thursday (7 Feb – 28 Mar 2019)

Start opposite the Annandale Post Office
cnr of Johnston and Booth Streets Annandale

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services

Councils receive grants from Federal and State Governments as well as Charging Fees (e.g. for School Swimming Carnivals and Domestic Wast...