Decision details

Moved by Councillor Chung, seconded by Councillor Forster –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Maddox Street, Alexandria, between Euston Road and Mitchell Road, is predominantly a residential street containing low density housing which has a maximum weight limit of 3 tonnes for vehicles entering the street to pass through;

(ii)         there have been significant breaches of the weight limits on this street, many of which have been reported to the City of Sydney. There is photographic evidence of some these breaches;

(iii)        at the June 2019 Alexandria Community Meeting, it was announced that RMS did not support the full road closure at Maddox Street as proposed by the City of Sydney and as an alternative, City staff proposed installation of raised thresholds; and

(iv)       existing traffic calming measures such as roundabouts and garden beds have been proven ineffective in preventing overweight vehicles in entering and passing through Maddox Street, as shown through photographic evidence; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)          investigate the option of installing chicanes in an effort to deter overweight vehicles rat-running through Maddox Street;

(ii)         take immediate action to install permanent and clearer signs that indicate Maddox Street has a maximum weigh limit of 3 tonnes; and

(iii)        report back to Council within two months.

Foreshadowed motion. Councillor Miller foreshadowed that, should the motion moved by Councillor Chung be lost, she would move an alternative motion.

The motion was lost on the following show of hands –

Ayes (4)          Councillors Chung, Forster, Phelps and Vithoulkas

Noes (6)          The Lord Mayor, Councillors Kok, Miller, Scott, Scully and Thalis.

Motion lost.

Councillor Miller then moved her foreshadowed motion, seconded by Councillor Kok –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Maddox Street, Alexandria between Euston Road and Mitchell Road is predominantly a residential street containing low density housing which has a maximum weight limit of 3 tonnes for vehicles entering the street to pass through;

(ii)         there have been significant breaches of the weight limits on this street, many of which have been reported to the City of Sydney. There is photographic evidence of some of these breaches;

(iii)        since August 2016, City of Sydney staff have been taking action to calm traffic in Maddox Street including: 

(a)        installing three roundabouts – one each at the intersections with Mitchell Road, Belmont Street and Lawrence Street; traffic signals at the intersection with Euston Road;

(b)        road narrowing and in-road street trees along the southern kerb between Belmont Street and Belmont Lane; and

(c)         a raised threshold just east of the intersection with Mitchell Road.

(iv)       while the RMS and the Police are best equipped to conduct roadside enforcement of overweight vehicles, some City staff have also been authorised by RMS to conduct roadside intercepts for overweight vehicles;

(v)         City of Sydney staff have installed temporary, large electronic signs and permanent, large yellow reflective load limit signs at Maddox Street that clearly show the weight-tonne limit;

(vi)       City of Sydney staff cannot install chicanes on Maddox Street because garbage trucks and some emergency vehicles and will not be able to access the street;

(vii)      at the June 2019 Alexandria Community Meeting, it was announced that RMS did not support the full road closure of Maddox Street as proposed by the City of Sydney;

(viii)     a full road closure is the best outcome to resolve overweight vehicles breaching the weight-tonne limit on Maddox Street and;

(ix)       as an alternative, City staff proposed installation of raised thresholds that will only slow regular sized vehicles.

Variation. At the request of Councillor Chung, and by consent, the foreshadowed motion was varied such that is read as follows –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Maddox Street, Alexandria between Euston Road and Mitchell Road is predominantly a residential street containing low density housing which has a maximum weight limit of 3 tonnes for vehicles entering the street to pass through;

(ii)         there have been significant breaches of the weight limits on this street, many of which have been reported to the City of Sydney. There is photographic evidence of some of these breaches;

(iii)        since August 2016, City of Sydney staff have been taking action to calm traffic in Maddox Street including: 

(a)        installing three roundabouts – one each at the intersections with Mitchell Road, Belmont Street and Lawrence Street; traffic signals at the intersection with Euston Road;

(b)        road narrowing and in-road street trees along the southern kerb between Belmont Street and Belmont Lane; and

(c)         a raised threshold just east of the intersection with Mitchell Road.

(iv)       while the RMS and the Police are best equipped to conduct roadside enforcement of overweight vehicles, some City staff have also been authorised by RMS to conduct roadside intercepts for overweight vehicles;

(v)         City of Sydney staff have installed temporary, large electronic signs and permanent, large yellow reflective load limit signs at Maddox Street that clearly show the weight-tonne limit;

(vi)       at the June 2019 Alexandria Community Meeting, it was announced that RMS did not support the full road closure of Maddox Street as proposed by the City of Sydney;

(vii)      a full road closure is the best outcome to resolve overweight vehicles breaching the weight-tonne limit on Maddox Street and;

(viii)     as an alternative, City staff proposed installation of raised thresholds that will only slow regular sized vehicles.

The motion, as varied by consent was carried unanimously.

S129259

Procedural Motion

At this stage of the meeting pursuant to clause 16.2 of the Code of Meeting Practice, it was moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Chung –

That the meeting be extended to 11.15pm.

A show of hands on the motion resulted in an equality of voting as follows –

Ayes (5)          Councillors Chung, Forster, Phelps, Scott and Vithoulkas

Noes (5)          The Lord Mayor, Councillors Kok, Miller, Scully and Thalis.

The Chair (the Lord Mayor) exercised her casting vote against the motion.

Motion lost.

At 10.55pm the meeting was adjourned.