Month: July 2015

Development planning

Land Use Planning and Development Control.

The Issue –  It is one thing to get excited about specific development applications, but it is another thing to monitor the total planning system and participate in its evolution.

Participation can be at a number of levels:

1. The Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan     (DCP) level.

Each local government (Council) area has a LEP to control land usage and what can be built where within the Council area. LEPs are prepared by local Councils, in consultation with their community and approved by the Minister for Planning. Continue reading “Development planning”

F3 | M2 link

Should there be a link between the F3 (now M1) and the Sydney Orbital – absolutely!

In the 1980’s, prior to the Berowra to Wahroonga section of the F3 being completed in 1989, the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) had plans to provide a link between the F3 at Wahroonga and the planned Castlereagh Freeway, now known as the M2. This link would have addressed the increasing traffic congestion on both the Pacific Highway south of Wahroonga and Pennant Hills Road. The planned surface route options, known as the B2/B3 options, were eventually abandoned by the NSW Carr Government in 1996 because of environmental impacts on the Lane Cove valley bushland. Continue reading “F3 | M2 link”

Third Track

The Issue – how to make the best of a bad job!

This rail transport project through the heart of Pennant Hills will result in:

  • major traffic disruption during the 4 year construction phase
  • a narrowing of Yarrara Road at the Ramsay Road intersection
  • Yarrara Road trees replaced by grasses and shrubs
  • ugly sound barriers along Wongala Crescent
  • loss of the trees that made for a pleasant station oasis
  • changes to the station that maximise rather than minimise the impact
  • a station structure completely out of character with the area
  • a third platform addition, the rationale for which defies logic
  • a station more concerned about maintenance cost than user comfort
  • a new footbridge that is much less convenient than the old one
  • a freight train holding bay from Wells St Bridge to Wongala Crescent
  • increased exposure to carcinogenic diesel engine exhaust fume
  • increased coal dust from uncovered coal wagons
  • increased rail noise pollution, on top of existing intolerable levels

Continue reading “Third Track”