Update 19 November, 2023
Over the last two Updates, I’ve referred to an ominous letter from Transport Minister Jo Haylen, saying (in part) “the linear design …. has been determined to proceed with construction to commence in 2024 (and is) the NSW Government’s final position in relation to the matter”.
This letter contained advice to the Minister from Transport, (in italics below) familiar to anyone who has attempted to engage with Transport (TfNSW). Let’s count the error of TfNSW ways.
1. TfNSW engaged extensively about this project during its development.
In all engagement sessions, TfNSW TOLD the community that the cycleway would be a linear cycle ramp landing in Bradfield Park North. Furthermore, Council and stakeholders were “gaslit” to satisfy Transport’s own agenda.
2. TfNSW considered in good faith the Community Cycle Ramp, had it independently assessed.
The Minister asked that the Community Cycle Ramp (CCR) be independently assessed. TfNSW appointed the same consultant it had appointed one month earlier to work on its linear ramp. The consultant submitted a 2-page Report which, following input from TfNSW was expanded to 8 pages, significantly reflecting input from TfNSW. Thus, the CCR was not independently assessed. Ministers and agencies were misled.
3. An independent consultant advised the design of the Community Cycle Ramp, including the gradient, was not to best practice and would not be fully accessible for all users.
As noted above, the consultant was not independent. The CCR, like Transport’s linear ramp has in places a 5% gradient which complies with both Australian and international guidelines. The reference to “best practice and fully accessible for all users” is an unsupported statement from a supplicant consultant and is meaningless.
4. The required approvals have now been obtained.
North Sydney Council, the landowner, has not given approval to build a linear cycle ramp landing in Bradfield Park North. Indeed during 2021 and 2022, North Sydney Council on 5 occasions resolved to oppose the linear ramp.
5. The community expressed a clear and overwhelming preference for the linear ramp.
Transport conducted a mere survey on a binary choice, based on a false premise and incorrect data provided by Transport. Transport ignored the 461 individual submissions. Over 8,600 community stakeholders are opposed to Transport’s linear ramp.
6. The project is sensitive to the history and heritage of this nationally significant location.
TfNSW was advised by two heritage consultants NOT to build a cycle ramp inside the state and national heritage curtilage of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. TfNSW chose to ignore this advice and appointed a third consultant who complied with TfNSW’s required linear ramp landing in Bradfield Park North i.e., within the heritage curtilage.
TfNSW coerced “landowner’s consent” from North Sydney Council only to enable an application to NSW Heritage Council by threatening to withdraw from Council funding of $2.5m.
TfNSW chose to ignore and discredit the CCR landing in Bradfield Park Central, which is outside the heritage curtilage.
7. Linear ramp delivers the project’s objectives including safety of people walking and riding bikes.
The TfNSW linear ramp permits cyclists to freewheel from the middle of the Harbour Bridge and exit via a sharp bend, directly into a heavily pedestrianised pathway in Bradfield Park North which is frequented daily by 10,400 pedestrians. Cyclists coming to/from the east will continue to use stairs.
The CCR has been designed with a series of reverse curves, an engineer’s preferred method to limit speed and exits onto a quiet cul-de-sac. The CCR is usable by all.
8. The linear ramp has been designed with appropriate consideration of open space.
North Sydney LGA has one of the lowest ratios of open green space to residents in Sydney. Bradfield Park North is a narrow section of parkland wedged between the North Shore railway line and high-density development on the western side of Alfred Street South. It is the only cultivated parkland in Milsons Point. Transport’s linear ramp alienates the parkland from the public.
Seems there has been no critical evaluation of TfNSW within the Minister’s office.
The community requests, as a matter of urgency, that the Minister pause and meet with representatives of the community to discuss these critical issues. We seek a win/win outcome, with rideable cycle access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge without destroying Australia’s national icon, whilst protecting precious green space and providing a safe cycle ramp accessible to all. The CCR does all this.
Transport’s proposed linear monorail-style cycleway is unsuited to the space in which it lands and if built would condemn all those associated with its realisation to the opprobrium of succeeding generations.
Write to: Premier Chris Minns
https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/premier-of-nsw/contact-premier