Meeting Name

Active Transport Advisory Committee

 

Date

21 May 2024

Time 6:06PM

Venue

PHIVE, Level 4 – Civic Reception, Parramatta + MS Teams

 

Attendees

Committee Members

·      Charlene Bordley (Chairperson)

·      Matt Zahra (Deputy Chairperson)

·      Bernie Carpenter

·      Stephen Chang

·      Mark Fyson

·      Angela Hansford

·      Pam Kendrick

·      Paul McDonald 

·      Lester Pasley

·      Kim Riley

·      Kerry Tipton (observer)

 

Council Staff

·      Robert Cologna –  Group Manager City Strategic Planning

·      Michael Jollon – Transport Planning Manager

·      Michael Kolos – Project Officer Transport

·      Mark Crispin – Senior Project Officer Transport

·      Sandra Di Palma - Team Leader - Events and Festivals Production

·     Justin Wannenburg - Senior Civil Design Engineer

·     Efty Dewan – ICT Support Officer

 

Apologies / Leave of Absence

·      Mark Green

·      Kevin Kayani (observer)

 

Secretariat

Melissa McIsaac - Governance

 

HPRM Reference

F2022/01409

 

 

No.

Item

 

Note: The Committee were advised that the Chairperson, Charlene Bordley, and the Deputy Chairperson, Matt Zahra, would be late to join the meeting. Matt Zahra was asked to open the meeting as Chair pending their arrival and accepted.

2

Apologies

 

The Committee noted that Mark Green and Kevin Kayani were not in attendance.

 

3

Disclosure of Interests

 

No disclosures of interests were made for this Committee Meeting.

 

4

Confirmation of Minutes

 

The Minutes of the previous Active Transport Advisory Committee meeting, held on 19 March 2024, were CONFIRMED, with the addition of the following amendment under General Business:

 

·         The Committee enquired if a report back from the consultants could be shared regarding the outcomes of the shared path etiquette education sessions. Clarification was provided that a report had not yet been received.

 

 

Note: The Chairperson amended the order of business, to proceed with Agenda Item 8.

8

Kleins Road Cycleway: proposed exhibition from 25 May to 25 June

Description

The Committee received a presentation from Mark Crispin, Senior Project Officer Transport, regarding Council’s planned Kleins Road Pedestrian and Cyclist Corridor Concept Plan, as endorsed for public exhibition.

 

The Committee considered the concept plan scope for the 3km active transport corridor and supporting network of connecting shared paths, intended as a multi-year staged delivery program. The Committee were informed about the segment design considerations and the site constraints which informed the concept plan.

 

The Committee recommended for Council to consider incorporating into the design the current movement pattern of cyclists at the Hammers Road segment. Clarification was provided that the cut-through lane from Ward Place be considered as a potential link to a shared path along the north verge of Hammers Road, which could facilitate passage for pedestrians and cyclists.”

The Committee noted that public exhibition is due to be undertaken from Friday to 25 June. The Concept Plan will then be reported back to Council for endorsement, before being presented to the Traffic Committee for technical review. Staged funding for detailed design will need to be secured from Transport for NSW after final Council endorsement, which may be delayed due to the local government election caretaker period.

 

Charlene Bordley, Bernie Carpenter, Matt Zahra, and Lester Pasley joined the meeting at 6:15pm, during discussion of Item 8.

Outcome

·     The Committee noted that the full concept plan will be available from Friday on Participate Parramatta, for detailed consideration.

·     Committee Members were invited to submit any written feedback to Mark Crispin as part of the public exhibition.

·     Committee Members were encouraged to circulate any key feedback on the concept plan via the member email distribution list, to enable group deliberation.

 

Note: The Chairperson amended the order to business, to proceed with Agenda Item 6.

6

North Rocks Road and Loyalty Road Roundabout North Rocks: Concept design workshop

Description

Received a presentation from Justin Wannenburg, Senior Civil Design Engineer, regarding the concept plan for the active transport infrastructure works proposed as part of the North Roads Road and Loyalty Road Roundabout project.

 

The Committee considered the concept plan and were invited to provide any feedback. The Committee raised safety concerns about the proposal to end a short section of cycle path in shared road space to protect significant trees in Bill Watson Reserve, which would direct cyclists into a bus stop zone and street with a high volume of parked cars. Clarification was provided that the project scope was originally limited to the intersection, and that the potential extension of the project to include surrounding active transport infrastructure improvements would still need to be considered by Council’s Traffic team.

 

The Committee further raised that feedback had previously been provided recommending driver awareness be raised about frequent cyclist use of this route through installing PS2 bicycle symbol road markings at the roundabout, and road markings at the nearby Speers Road intersection.

 

Mark Crispin retired from the meeting at 6:49pm, during discussion of Item 6.

Outcome

·      Council staff agreed to provide the Committee’s feedback to the Parks team regarding safety concerns about moving the bike lane to protect trees in Bill Watson Reserve, for further assessment.

 

Justin Wannenburg retired from the meeting at 6:54pm, at the conclusion of Item 6.

 

Note: The Chairperson amended the order of business, to proceed with Agenda Item 7.

7

Council Events and Festivals – promoting travel to by walking and cycling

Description

The Committee were joined by Sandra Di Palma, Team Leader - Events and Festivals Production, in response to a previous meeting outcome requesting to engage with Council’s Events Team regarding promotion of active transportation options for attending Council events.

 

The Committee received an overview of Council’s major events program and the marketing plan rolled out for all events.

 

The Committee provided feedback for Council’s consideration regarding poor active transport experiences and participation outcomes from previous events, and recommendations for improving and prioritising promotion of active transportation options to reach events.

Outcome

·      Council staff agreed to circulate to members a link to an example of a Council event webpage with an outline of the active transport options, for members to consider and provide any further feedback on Council’s promotional approach.

·      The Committee encouraged for Council staff to engage Committee Members to help promote within their active transport networks about options for attending upcoming events.

Sandra Di Palma retired from the meeting at 7:06pm, at the conclusion of Item 7.

 

Note: The Chairperson resumed the order of business, returning to Agenda Item 5.

5

Committee Matters

Description

The Chairperson advised that there were no items of Committee Matters requiring discussion and recommended for members to raise any new matters of interest during General Business.

9

Station Street E Harris Park Shared Path: Issue with newly installed poles within path

Description

The Committee received an update from Michael Kolos, Project Officer Transport, regarding Council’s response to the issues with the Station Street East shared path. The Committee were informed that the mitigation plan has been designed and consulted with the Traffic Committee, but it is still required to secure funding, which could take some time.

Outcome

The Committee noted the provided update.

10

Bike Plan Status

Description

The Committee received an update from Robert Cologna, Group Manager City Strategic Planning, regarding the status of Council’s Bike Plan review.

The Committee were informed that three Councillor Workshops have been held since Council deferred consideration to adopt the draft Bike Plan, primarily to further assess planning for bike paths in the CBD and impacts on parking. Some minor amendments have been applied to the draft Bike Plan to address public exhibition submissions, and it is anticipated to report the draft Bike Plan back to Council shortly to seek endorsement for adoption.

Outcome

·      Council staff will notify Committee Members of the confirmed Council Meeting date to report the draft Bike Plan for adoption.

·      Committee Members were reminded of the opportunity to make a public forum submission for the Council Meeting where the draft Bike Plan will be reported.

·      Council staff will circulate a reference copy of the deferred 12 February Council Report seeking to adopt the draft Bike Plan.

11

Shared Path Promotion and Education status

Description

The Committee were informed by Michael Kolos that Council has followed up with the provider to seek a report on the outcomes of Council’s shared path etiquette education sessions, as requested by the Committee. Council is awaiting a response.

 

The Committee further requested clarification regarding Council’s general promotion of cycling and were advised that general promotion is being addressed as part of the draft Bike Plan.

Outcome

·         Council staff agreed to report back to the Committee on the outcomes of seeking to recruit staff to take carriage of Council’s general active transport promotion initiatives.

12

Parramatta by Bicycle Map and Google status

Description

The Committee were informed by Michael Kolos that following the Committee’s recommendation, Council has made multiple attempts to contact Google to discuss integration of the Parramatta by Bicycle Map into Google Maps. Council has not yet been able to engage Google to action this recommendation.

Outcome

·         Council staff agreed to contact City of Sydney to enquire about how they engaged Google to integrate their cycle routes into Google Maps.

13

Cycleways under construction

Description

The Committee received updates from Michael Kolos regarding the status of the following cycleways under construction:

 

1.         Alfred Street Cycleway: Construction has commenced on the segment for Eleanor Street through to Clay Cliff Creek but is delayed due to wet weather. This stage is anticipated to be completed September-October. Funding requests for later stages are awaiting determination.

2.        Ermington Foreshore Stage 3 + Brodie St raised crossing: Construction is due to commence on Monday 27 May. Active transport path detours are anticipated to be in place for approximately five weeks during construction.

3.        T-Way Cycleway: Construction of the northern section is 85% complete, and pier works for the bridge have commenced, with a target to complete by December.

Outcome

The Committee noted the provided updates.

14

Metro active transport facilities and Unwin Street Bridge Camelia – status

Description

The Committee received a presentation from Michael Kolos regarding the Sydney Metro West (SMW) Unwin Street Bridge project in Camelia. The Committee were informed that the presentation was provided by SMW in response to their concerns raised about the potential overbridge grade for active transport links.

 

The Committee considered the design plans for the overbridge, including the grade, and the site constraints which informed the design. The Committee were informed that SMW is proceeding with the active transport overbridge link. Council has raised ongoing objections with Transport for NSW that the access design grade for the overbridge is not compliant with relevant Standards. The project’s government Independent Certifier has deemed the design compliant thereby giving approval to proceed.

Outcome

The Committee noted the provided updates.

15

Shared E-Scooter Trial status

Description

The Committee were informed by Michael Jollon that the road safety audit is still underway, as required to address before the State Government trial may commence. No commencement date has been set.

Outcome

The Committee noted the provided update.

16

Gasworks Bridge maintenance

Description

The Committee were informed by Michael Kolos that Transport for NSW works are anticipated to continue until July, due to an expanded maintenance scope. Council has contacted Transport for NSW to request to keep bridge underlighting on during the day, to address active transport path darkness concerns previously raised by the Committee.

Outcome

The Committee noted the provided updates.

17

Other Business

Description

The Chairperson called for Committee Members to raise any other items of business, as follows:

·         Robert Cologna, Group Manager City Strategic Planning, provided the Committee with a previously requested update regarding the river foreshore path closure at the Sanctuary development site in Wentworth Point. The Committee were informed that as part of the voluntary planning agreement the developer has committed to providing a foreshore park and 4m wide active transport path. Path closure for these works is expected until late 2024. Site access will be further impacted by construction of a new bridge to Melrose Park, set to begin in early 2025.

·         Kim Riley raised that Council is inviting public feedback until 11 June on the planning agreement for the CBD block 197-207 Church Street, 89 Marsden Street, and 20-22 Macquarie Street. The Committee were informed that the planning agreement could delete an easement that may impact bike path provision. Council staff clarified that this planning agreement does not impact provision of shared paths.

·         The Chairperson raised for further discussion about Item 7, Council’s promotion of active transport options for events. The Committee agreed that additional information regarding marketing plans for future events should be requested for Committee consideration.

Kim Riley retired from the meeting at 7:50pm, during discussion of Item 17.

Outcome

·         Robert Cologna agreed to report back to the Committee at the next meeting with further information regarding the anticipated closure of the Wentworth Point river foreshore path during construction of the bridge to Melrose Park.

·         The Committee requested to be provided with bike count data from the Sydney Olympic Park Authority for the closed Wentworth Point foreshore path site, if available.

·         Council staff took on notice a request to compare Council’s existing Bike Plan to the draft updated Bike Plan, on any plans for the provision of a bike path on Marsden Street.

·         The Committee requested to be provided at the next meeting with a written plan for how Council will promote and support active transport options for attending Council’s Parramatta Lanes event, for consultation with the Committee. Committee Members will advise Council via email after the meeting of any specific aspects about the marketing plan to include in the report to the Committee, such as the social media strategy and bike parking provision.

·         Committee Members will circulate any further items of General Business via the email.

 

Next Meeting Date: 30 July 2024

 

Meeting Closed:  8:01 PM