The first of two Community Workshops for the Tonsley Line Review was held on Thursday 13 June 2019 from 6:00 p.m.– 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Park Sports & Community Centre regarding “Key Issues for the Tonsley Line”

The workshop was attended by approximately 25–30 people including:

• Carolyn Power MP, Member for Elder
• Raelene Telfer, Warriparinga Ward Councillor, City of Marion
• Gemma Kernich, Unit Manager, Planning, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI)
• Tyla Clayson, Flinders Link Project (left the workshop early)
• Gould Thorpe Planning (GTP) Community Engagement Team, workshop facilitators:
  • Lisa Earl
  • Stephanie Hensden
  • Ruby Rushworth
  • Jo Telfer
  • Mel Risely

I arrived late because the access taxi GTP had booked to pick me up at 5:30 had still not arrived by 6 pm illustrating my regular experiences of being stranded on the street by taxis that do not turn up for short ‘last mile’ journeys, especially at night, reinforcing my point that access taxis are neither reliable nor safe options.

Gould Thorpe Planning (GTP) prepared questions to guide discussion:

• What do you like about the existing Tonsley Rail Line?
• What makes it difficult for you to access train services on the Tonsley Rail Line?
• What makes it easier for you to access train services on the Tonsley Rail Line?
• What would make Tonsley Rail Line work better for you?
• Do you have any ideas about what could improve the function of the Tonsley Line?
• Do you have any idea about what could be done to improve the look and feel of the Tonsley Line?
• Using only 3 words, what is / are the most important thing(s) you think Government should consider for the Tonsley Rail Line?

What are your thoughts? Have your say before Friday 21 June 2019. Please forward your answers to GTP’s Tonsley Line Review: http://tonsleylinereview.com.au/ or 1300 582 071 or email info@tonsleylinereview.com

GTP collated all the community feedback from the Tonsley Line Review process so far onto ‘sticky notes’ and attached them to the relevant question as a starting point for discussion. (Collated at the end of this update.)  Each table at the workshop had a different focus. Facilitators at each table recorded the workshop discussion points onto large sheets of butchers’ paper to be shared and included in the independent report.

Additional and major themes arising from the workshop included:

• Desire for new station at a halfway point between currently existing stations “Don’t put it at the other end”
• A linear path for direct access rather than sidestreets
• Connectivity and quality of paths
• Frequency of service
• Park and rides
• Pedestrian crossing of Alawoona Ave
• Pedestrian crossings over rail line – more needed; e.g. Timothy Ct, Woodland Rd
• Compliance with Disability Discriminaton Act 1992 (DDA 1992)

 

The DPTI provided its own materials:

• Area map of existing situation in Mitchell Park, Clovelly Park and Tonsley
• Area map of ‘walking catchments of current and committed Tonsley Line stations’ (the current Tonsley station at Lynton Avenue was not included). It seems to have exaggerated the reach of the proposed Flinders station and it mislabelled the suburb of Mitchell Park as ‘Tonsley’
• Area map entitled ‘Technical Constraints’ labelled with DPTI’s preferences for station locations and reasons.
• Small sheet with two photos illustrating ‘Constraints for station locations’ – not on a corner, not on a slope.  It shows the dangers of gaps created between railcars and a curved platform. I was disappointed that they hadn’t shown an example of how our current electric train fleet interacts with Mitchell Park station’s curved platform. Instead it was a photo from elsewhere, possibly overseas.  How many adverse outcomes have occurred at Mitchell Park platform because of the curve?

Workshop participants added their own ‘sticky note’ labels and drawings onto the maps to show their preferred station location and to point out issues in precise locations. 

Photos of these maps and notes were taken at the end of the workshop and shared on the public Facebook group “Tonsley Station Friends”.  Alternatively contact GTP for more information (details below) or email savetonsleystation@gmail.com to have them forwarded to you.

It is intriguing that the ‘artists’ impressions’ published widely in the media and provided to the media by the DPTI this week were not provided to Gould Thorpe Planning or the community at the workshop. 

Gould Thorpe Planning conducted doorknocking in the local area on Tuesday 18 June 2019 and may be continuing.  Please share your thoughts with them when they come to your door.

All of the community feedback from various channels needs to be collected by Friday 21 June 2019 (preferably before) for a Community Priorities Report: http://tonsleylinereview.com.au/community-priorities-report/
The draft will be distributed to local government and DPTI for discussion. Local government and DPTI will not be able to edit or change the report as it is an independent report.

The second Community Workshop will be on Thursday 20 June 2019 at the Mitchell Park Sports and Community Centre from 6:00 p.m.– 7:30 p.m. for “Setting Community Priorities” based on the themes arising from the community engagement to date: http://tonsleylinereview.com.au/tonsley-line-review-community-workshops-june-2019/ 

If you cannot attend Workshop 2 and you want to have your say, you still can by contacting the Tonsley Line Review.The ‘sticky notes’ presented at Workshop 1 have been recorded and can be obtained via email through savetonsleystation@gmail.com.

IMPORTANT LINKS

Save Tonsley Station campaign email: savetonsleystation@gmail.com

Tonsley Station Friends Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/438999896555463/about/

Tonsley Line Review (Gould Thorpe Planning - GTP): http://tonsleylinereview.com.au

DPTI Flinders Link Community Engagement: https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/major_projects/flinders_link/community_engagement

DPTI Flinders Link Newsletters: https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/major_projects/flinders_link/publications

City of Marion: https://www.marion.sa.gov.au/

KEY ISSUES FOR TONSLEY RAIL LINE (PRE-WORKSHOP)
"STICKY NOTES" (in no particular order)

What do you like about the existing Tonsley Rail Line?

·         Convenient for work + school + uni

·         Can walk to

·         Parking is easy

·         Convenient locations

·         Can cycle to train station

·         Close to my house

·         Close to city

·         Car parking

·         Train good for medical condition (not jerky)

·         Comfortable ride

·         Quality of trains

·         Nothing at present

·         The Tonsley station (for disability access)

·         Plans for extension

·         Quiet to live beside

·         Feel safe walking to / from station

·         Train does not hurt my back

·         Quiet

·         The train!

·         Smooth ride

·         Electric trains

·         Speed of trains

·         Train not too full

·         Clean new trains

·         Good frequency

·         Train punctual

·         Timetables

·         “not much could improve in the frequency”

·         Speed of access to city

What makes it difficult for you to access train services on the Tonsley Rail Line?

·         No bus interchange

·         Pathway / pedestrian access is not ideal

·         Pedestrian links can be dirty, messy

·         Additional entry / exit to train station required

·         The alley between Essex Ave & Tudor is a dirt path with rubbish and not adequate lighting

·         Pedestrian links can feel dangerous

·         Line terminates on Sturt Rd

·         Pedestrian access to Clovelly Park station

·         Bus connections not linked with train times

·         Live far away from station

·         Pedestrian lights to cross road near the station = not functional

·         If the distance from train station to home increases

·         Celtic Ave busy and dangerous in peaks

·         Having to cross Sturt Rd in peak times

·         Potholes in car park

·         Not enough lighting

·         Lack of parking

·         Poorly maintained footpaths

·         Not adequate lighting

·         Single track

·         Not enough trains

·         No bitumen on footpaths

·         Single line

·         Trashcans along pedestrian links required

·         If the Tonsley station is moved

·         Roadworks on Sturt Rd

·         Safety to and from station

·         Rain

·         If you get rid of the station

·         Too many stops

·         Not early enough (AM services needed)

·         Train too slow

·         Infrequent timetable (every 30 mins not enough)

·         No evening services

·         No weekend services

·         timetables

What makes it easier for you to access train services on the Tonsley Rail Line?

·         Train accessibility for people in wheelchairs

·         Walking distance from station

·         Riding bike to station

·         Easy on my mobility scooter

·         Close to home

·         Proximity to work

·         Clovelly Park Park n Ride

·         Multiple station access points

·         Car parks close to station

·         Shelter provided for sun wind rain

·         More reliable than buses

·         Double track ./ higher frequency

·         Proximity – important for my disability

·         “nothing”

·         Entirely connected footpath / greenway

·         Reliable & consistent

·         The frequent services

·         Evening & weekend services

·         Easy to plan a journey

·         When it’s actually running

·         “It would be easier if there were night time & weekend services”

·         More services

What would make Tonsley Rail Line work better for you?

·         Direct services from the city

·         Easier access to platform

·         Bike paths along train line

·         Seating along pedestrian links to station

·         Access to Bedford Park

·         Modern shelters

·         Upgraded stations

·         More seating (under shelter)

·         Bus interchange

·         Train line extended to Flinders Uni

·         Easier access to parking

·         Large shelters

·         Better shelter

·         Electronic sign for departure times

·         Good / Better lighting

·         More weather protection

·         More car parks

·         Dual tracks

·         Retain the station at Tonsley

·         Consider noise control

·         Leave line as is

·         The creation of a new station at the Thirza Ave & Railway intersection

·         More frequent services

·         Night services

·         Weekend services

·         Express service In AM + Arvo from Woodlands Park to City

·         Tonsley should run even if other train lines not running as it is a different line

·         Services as frequent as Seaford line

·         Early morning services

·         Running later during events (Fringe / Womad etc.)

·         Less stops at stations

Do you have any ideas about what could improve the function of the Tonsley Line?

·         Minimal steps and no ramps

·         Weekend and night services

·         Dual tracks

·         CCTV

·         Coordinate with southern bus services

·         Make sure line services new subdivision

·         Double access to station

·         Grade separation at Daws Rd

·         Consider ageing / people with disabilities

·         Extend line to Flinders

·         It functions well as is

·         Terminate outside main entrance FMC

·         Raise station for new line

·         Have staff been asked if they need extra service /line?

·         Parking allocated at the Mitsubishi site

·         Pedestrian crossing for station access

·         Once links with Flinders will need extended services

·         Sufficient parking in Tonsley for all

·         Where will parking be for moved Clovelly Park station?

·         Birch crescent too constrained and will be exacerbated when line raised

·         Lynton Ave like parking station now

·         Flinders Drive intersection dangerous

·         If want more people to use train – need sufficient parking – Easy

Do you have any idea about what could be done to improve the look and feel of the Tonsley Line?

·         Better stops

·         Ease of access more important than aesthetics

·         Make Park n Ride closer to Clovelly

·         Fix cracked pavements

·         More car parks

·         Connect station to Tonsley precinct

·         Newly painted stations

·         Tidy stations

·         Fix potholes in carpark

·         Hanging plants

·         Add colours for morecheerful

·         Bike tracks along line

·         More shelter

·         Upgrade stations

·         Weather-proof station

·         More trees and shrubs along the line

·         Need night and weekend services

·         Graffiti removal

·         Security measures

·         CCTV

·         Lighting to and from station

·         Lighting in car park

·         Improve signage

·         More greenery

·         Ticket machines

·         Food & drink carts

·         Vending machines

·         Landscaping

·         Toilets

·         Supermarkets at stations

·         Safety

·         Fine as is

·         Station locations stay

·         Think of Tonsley subdivision and more houses re keeping station

·         Express trains

·         More trains

·         Night & weekend services

·         Get children to do art for stations  - or local graffiti artists

·         Clarence Park station is a great example – art, school art, trees

Using only 3 words, what is / are the most important thing(s) you think Government should consider for the Tonsley Rail Line?

·         Upgraded pathways

·         Grade separation

·         Bedford Park Connection

·         Dedicated parking for train users

·         Interchange

·         Duplication

·         New station

·         Bike path

·         Parking

·         Congestion

·         Elderly population

·         Free parking in Tonsley precinct

·         Disabled / Elderly / disadvantaged

·         Upgrade

·         Extension

·         Lighting, CCTV, Safety

·         Comfort

·         Quality of stations

·         Safety

·         Convenience

·         Leave as is

·         Do not move station

·         After hour security

·         Availability

·         Weekends

·         Weekend services

·         Frequency of trains

·         Extended hours

·         Express

·         Fast

·         More trains

·         reliability

Other Participant Feedback

·         At Mitchell Park Station – dark at night, would like better crossing

·         At existing Clovelly Park staion – Accessibility, better lighting, crossing on Alawoona Ave, Frequency / weekends & public holidays, early trains, evening trains, park to train station paved

·         Landscaping, greenery needed.

·         How much greenery can get on Tonsley station ramp – narrow

·         Construction impacts of raised line at Sturt Rd

·         Better shelters so as not to get wet in winter

·         Once Tonsley station closed & during construction, stop boom gates at Alawoona

·         Waklability of new Tonsley station will be critical – so many communities need to use

·         Need green space

·         ‘themed’ station with historical information

·         Parking insufficient

·         Grade separation of the line

·         Access through to Mitchell Park station

·         Mitchell Park station crossing closed too long Celtic

·         Kiss n Ride facilities

·         Park n ride like O-bahn

·         Timetables displayed electronic

·         Don’t want people using residential streets to get to station

·         Upgrade station where it is

·         Link Tonsley to Tonsley Innovation District for cars

·         Upgrade Birch St

·         Put cars under track where the ped underpass is

·         Can greenway extend to accommodate cars?

·         Future proofing

·         Would like station as closeto curve as possible

·         Double line

·         Increased frequency

·         Car parking (no carparking instead)

·         Lighting on the greenway