Decision details

Moved by Councillor Forster, seconded by Councillor Thalis -

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Windmill Street is a wide, long street surrounded by residential, commercial and retail buildings that runs between Dalgety Road and Lower Fort Street in Millers Point;

(ii)         the adjacent footbridge link between Walsh Bay and Windmill Street has recently been opened leading to increased foot traffic in the area;

(iii)        there are an increasing number of families moving into the area that utilise nearby childcare centres, parks and playgrounds and walk to these amenities, often via Windmill Street and the adjacent footbridge;

(iv)       local residents have reported an increase in vehicles speeding through Windmill Street and have identified that, due to its length and absence of any traffic calming devices, it is being used as a 'racing circuit' by both cars and motorbikes, causing pedestrian safety concerns;

(v)         early last year, together with the Millers Point Residents Action Group, City staff developed a concept plan to widen footpaths and introduce pedestrian crossings in Lower Fort, Pottinger and Windmill Streets and Trinity Avenue, to improve access and safety for pedestrians;

(vi)       the Heritage Impact Statement stated that the concept plan is "not consistent with the heritage values of the area" and that "the proposed changes to intersections would have adverse impacts on the heritage significance of the area in all locations"; and

(vii)      the City is not pursuing any changes until heritage matters are resolved; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          investigate the installation of traffic calming measures in Windmill Street, including, but not limited to, chicanes, roundabouts, speed humps, a tree-lined median strip and/or a safer integration of the recently opened pedestrian walkway to the street;

(ii)         ensure that any traffic calming measures that are investigated are consistent with the area's heritage significance and resolve any heritage matters that may arise in a timely manner to ensure pedestrian safety is prioritised; and

(iii)        report back to Council with the results of this investigation via the CEO Update at the earliest opportunity.

Carried unanimously.

S129260