Again.
Thank you as we head for 200 supporters, 2 days remaining.
This Petition is for everyone who walks, rides or scoots and cares across Sydney, as Cycleways, like roads, connect us and absolutely need to connect us back to nature without demolishing, compromising or domesticating ecological values - especially unnecessarily.
- This time it is unnecessary 'old school' hard engineering, to object to.
Parramatta CBD needs to be connect with a genuine Eco Experience of the existing environment at the City doorstep. A Design that is respectful needs to come from acknowledgement of Country, many layers of History, living heritage and Wildlife before reaching for that "mitigation" ticket (design first, assess & "mitigate" later).
In the Council's DRAFT we are given a handful of benefits, comfortable spin in euphemistic language, selective images with generic future trees that will not be present for 50 years, seemingly without a true sensitivity to creative conservation based design.
- Diagram is an Example of the Alternative Solution Needed (link)
In our City's unique Parramatta Precinct -
the Southside - needs all trees & embankment conserved with regeneration,
the Northbank - needs its degraded "billabong" rehabilitated diligently with bush-regeneration, rubbish removal and wetland margin habitat established instream for water-quality, (Old Kings School landscape many heritage values to present), and
the New Bridge - needs to be aligned with Bernie Banton, to have minimal impact by retaining the most possible trees and to present a safe, open side view upstream without "marring" vistas of the Marsden Weir.
Furthermore to achieve this alternative -
the Southern Boardwalk - needs to be only built above water, with an winding elevated Sculptured Boardwalk "surrounded by nature" ramping up to the gardens and lawn re-imagined to complement Jeffrey House (mid century modern 1937-43) and the Hospitals' site histories.
Let Council know that for this large $28M Infrastructure Budget an Alternative must be presented to the community excluding Excavation and Concrete Riverwalls - for an authentic CBD Eco-Experience with credibility.
If you haven't already please also Submit (objections) to:
Email: participate@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Subject: Western River Precinct Connection Project