Decision details

Moved by Councillor Chung, seconded by Councillor Scully –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Park street is predominantly a residential street containing low density housing and which has a maximum weight limit of 3 tonnes for vehicles entering the street to pass through;

(ii)         due to the installation of the Henderson Road pop-up cycleway, left hand turn access has been removed from Railway parade, causing traffic to be diverted down Park Street from Swanson Street;

(iii)        prior to the cycleway installation, Park Street was a quiet residential road and immediately after the installation, residents expressed concern for the frequency and speed of vehicles rat running through Park Street and the increase in heavy vehicle usage, including large industrial appliances accessing the rail yards nearby; and

(iv)       in September 2020, in response to residents' concerns about the volume and speed of traffic, the City installed speed cushions in Park Street. Residents have since reported that these speed cushions have had little to no impact in traffic calming, have increased noise in the street and are dangerous, encouraging motorists to swerve to avoid the cushions; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          investigate concerns and take immediate steps to reduce some of the impacts that residents are experiencing, including removing speed cushions which are having unintended impacts, making speed and weight limit signage more visible and more frequent patrolling for heavy vehicle usage;

(ii)         ask staff to consult with state authorities including Transport for NSW, to train their drivers and contractors who are working in the area to refrain from using Park St and remind them that this is a local residential road with a maximum weight limit of three tonnes;

(iii)        reinstate Park Street back to its condition as a quiet residential street prior to the traffic changes by implementing traffic calming measures. Residents have a number of suggestions, including limiting turns into and out of Park Street, creating raised pedestrian crossings and extended garden beds, and as a last resort, creating a cul de sac. City staff are requested to respond to community suggestions and to provide options to the community for input and feedback; and

(iv)       report back to Council via a Council report within two months on the process for community consultation and feedback into those longer-term traffic calming measures for Park Street.

The motion was carried unanimously.

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