Update 17 Jan 2024

With the New Year, Transport had envisaged ramp construction commencement. However, there are several legal barriers preventing this from happening. Simply put, Transport needs permission from North Sydney Council. This has not been given nor can it be given for the following reasons:

1. The land known as Bradfield Park is subject to a very specific Trust, set up by Act of Parliament, the beneficiaries of the Trust being the people of North Sydney.

2.  North Sydney Council as Trustee, holds the land in Trust for the people of North Sydney.

3.  Under the Trust, Council is unable to deal with the land – it can’t sell, lease or cede control. Council has a legal opinion to this effect.

4.  Transport for NSW would need to compulsorily acquire the land but it is unclear whether Transport has such a power.

5.  Serious consequences flow from mis-steps in this process including personal liability of Councillors.

There seems to be a stalemate. Upholding the Trust means no ramp of any sort. Council and the community have repeatedly demonstrated a wish to pursue a Win/Win outcome to provide rideable step-free access but Transport have dug themselves into a hole and don’t want to lose face. It is Transport, peddling its own agenda and ignoring the legitimate concerns of many thousands of people, which is the problem.

We need a circuit breaker. Could it be you?