Good Morning Fellow Residents, Business Patrons and Petition Supporters
Liverpool MP Paul Lynch has shown support for this issue by asking a question on Notice to the Minister for Transport and by making a Speech in Parliament also.
I have provided a transcript of both below.
In the meantime IF you can keep sharing and commenting on the Online Petition plus also heading down to the Shops to sign the paper petition that would be greatly appreciated.
Question by Paul Lynch to the Minister on the 26th May 2020
Why did the Consultation report by Transport for NSW on the Hoxton Park Road Upgrade (dated April 2020) completely ignore the combined view of the Federal Member , The State Member, local councillors and local residents and business operators concerning the intersection of Hoxton Park Road and Dorrigo Ave?
The Speech from Paul Lynch MP to Parliament about the Hoxton Park Extension and the closure of the Right turn in and out lanes at Dorrigo Ave.
LIVERPOOL ELECTORATE AND ROADS
Mr PAUL LYNCH (Liverpool) (16:51:20): I speak again of the undesirable and unacceptable consequences that will flow from the banning of right-hand turns from Dorrigo Avenue into Hoxton Park Road and from Hoxton Park Road into Dorrigo Avenue at Hoxton Park within the electorate that I represent. I raised the issue of the intersection in this place in November last year. At that stage business owners at the Hoxton Park Shopping Centre and nearby residents of Dorrigo Avenue, Colong Close and part of the southern side of Hoxton Park Road were made aware of a State Government proposal to alter traffic conditions on Hoxton Park Road to allow a rapid bus transport service between Liverpool CBD and the western Sydney airport. In passing, I note that the State Government is proposing it because it will not fund the extension of the south-west rail link to the airport despite that being cheaper than the north-south link, which it favours.
As part of the proposal, the Government wanted to ban right-hand turns at the intersection of Hoxton Park Road and Dorrigo Avenue. When I spoke previously on the issue I explained that it would impose significant inconvenience on residents and business owners. It would obviously also potentially endanger the financial viability of some of the businesses. There is an obvious likelihood that some people will no longer patronise businesses at Hoxton Park Shopping Centre if they cannot access them conveniently. Additionally, by forcing commuters who currently make right-hand turns there onto other roads, the amenity of nearby suburbs that become the alternative routes will be affected adversely. The proposed changes will also affect Hoxton Park Community Health Centre and the 1st Hoxton Park Scout Group adversely.
When I previously raised the issue in this place, a so-called consultation period was commencing about the proposal. We all found out the results of the consultation several weeks ago. The results were publicly available on a website before anyone was told specifically that they were being released. I also observe that the results were released in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. "Insensitive" does not cover the description of this Transport for NSW behaviour. The Government rejected the wishes and concerns of residents and business owners summarily. It also rejected the view of local, State and Federal representatives: me; Ann Stanley, MP; and councillor Nathan Hagarty in particular. I cannot find anyone in public office in Liverpool who supports the proposal. The dishonesty of the consultation report is that the Government claims improving safety as the reason for banning the right-hand turns. At best, that is disingenuous. There are other equally effective solutions to the intersection if safety is a concern. The problem for the Government is that the other solutions cost money. However, the cost of the present proposal will be borne by business owners and residents.
Since the release of the report following the so-called consultation process, local opinion has been unanimous: Before the consultation, no-one supported the banning of right-hand turns; after the consultation and report, no-one has changed their minds. There is still not one local who supports the banning of right-hand turns. The federal member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley, and Councillor Hagarty have restated their opposition. I still cannot find any councillor who supports the State Government on the issue.
Lance Lagudi, who operates the Hoxton Park Newsagency wrote, "I feel that all our submissions and concerns have gone unheeded and they have not listened to or care about the concerns and issues that were raised with them. I am asking that the decision be reviewed again as there are other intersections where a right-hand turn is permitted." Nam Lam from Hoxton Park Cellars also contacted me to set out his disappointment with the decision to proceed with the plans unchanged, ignoring the submission to the contrary from local residents, representatives and business owners. I think the word "disappointment" significantly understates the depth of feeling on the issue.
Mr Michael Schirripa also wrote to me. He found the decision to go ahead with the original plan to be very disturbing and disheartening. He correctly points out that the decision to proceed will cause hardship and worry to shop owners and business operators as well as local community members. He makes the point that the addition of the specified bus lane and banning right-hand turns had been unheard of until comparatively recently. He goes on to state, "Accordingly people who had invested in the shopping centre took out loans to run businesses. The owners expanded and upgraded the centre and now find a serious threat to their financial position." Those who wish to proceed with this proposal must understand that it is utterly opposed by those who are directly affected and by those who represent them. The shopping centre started as a small neighbourhood centre in 1978. People have made plans and decisions since then on the basis of existing road structure. Overturning those assumptions in such a cavalier way to save government agencies money might be typical bureaucratic arrogance but it remains unacceptable to my local community.
The Minister for Transport and Roads should rule out this proposed change. There are two issues here: one is a substantive decision about the future of the intersection. I think the Government is wrong and there are alternative approaches. The second issue is the wanton and implacable attempt to ignore what the community wants. As I say, the Minister should ensure this proposal does not happen
Please keep commenting and signing and sharing the online Petition to increase awareness of this issue and also please come and Sign the Paper Petition at the Shops.
You can also pick up a copy of the Petition signing sheet help get 10 signatures and drop it back to the Shops.
In the next Updates I will cover the Liverpool Council response to this issue and I will introduce you to some of the local Business Owners from Hoxton Park Shopping Village.
Yours Sincerely
Michael Andjelkovic JP
Independent Community Campaigner for Liverpool