Keeping on track
Roads
and Maritime Services (RMS) is the organisation responsible for the control of
traffic on all roads in NSW. In order to deal with the large number and range
of traffic-related matters effectively, RMS has delegated
certain aspects of traffic control on local roads to councils.
The
RMS delegation to councils limits the types of prescribed traffic control
devices and facilities that a council can authorise and imposes certain
conditions on councils. One of these conditions requires councils to refer all
traffic-related matters to its traffic committee prior to exercising its
delegated functions.
The
Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee (LPCTCC) considers the
needs of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in the City of Sydney.
The
LPCTCC is an advisory body only, having no decision-making powers. It is,
primarily, a technical review committee that is required to advise Council on
traffic-related matters referred by Council. Proposals recommended by the
LPCTCC must be formally approved by either the elected Council or authorised
Council staff – depending on the nature of the proposal.
Council
is not bound by the advice given by the LPCTCC. However, if Council does wish
to act contrary to the unanimous advice of its traffic committee, or when the
advice is not unanimous, it must notify the committee members and wait 14 days
before proceeding. During this period, committee members may refer an
appeal to the Regional Traffic Committee (RTC).
The
purpose of the RTC, appointed by RMS, is to deal with appeals from RMS or NSW
Police members of the LPCTCC. Appeals can be lodged when Council wishes to
take action either contrary to the unanimous advice of the traffic committee,
or when the advice is not unanimous. The decision of the RTC is binding on
all parties.
Members
There
are four formal members of the Committee:
Four
formal (voting) representatives, one from each of the following:
·
City of
Sydney Council (Chairperson)
·
NSW Police
Force
·
Roads and
Maritime Services
·
local state
Members of Parliament or their nominee
·
relevant NSW Government agency (where
applicable)**
Note: Representatives
of the NSW Police Force and representatives of state MPs can only vote on
issues within their command or electorate respectively.
**Note: The NSW Government agencies are
formal (voting) member for matters relating to roads over which they have
jurisdiction only (for example, Property NSW / Place Management NSW /
Infrastructure NSW). The City of Sydney Council is not a formal (voting) member
for these matters.
Informal
(non-voting) representatives, where relevant, from each of the following:
·
State Transit
Authority
·
Transport
Workers Union
·
cycling
representative appointed by the Lord Mayor.
·
pedestrian
representative appointed by the Lord Mayor.
The
Chairperson and their alternate shall be determined by Council. Views of
informal members are considered but not binding.