Controversial cycleway plans open for comment, again

BY MICK ROBERTS

The exhibition period for commenting on the City’s much-debated Bourke Street cycleway has been extended as controversy continues to grow over the possible loss of heritage trees and parking spaces.
Last week The City News reported that Bourke Street residents were angry over what they considered a lack of consultation, with the ‘Save Bourke Street Trees’ group accusing City of Sydney Council of favouring cycling groups and ignoring the concerns of residents.
The future of grand old heritage trees, some towering over 18 metres and forming a canopy over Bourke Street in Surry Hills, remains unclear despite the release of concept plans.
The cycle route runs 4.3 km from Elizabeth Street in Zetland to Cowper Wharf Road in Woolloomooloo with the first kilometre, south of Phillip Street, Waterloo, a shared pedestrian and cycleway. From there to the harbour, there will be a two-directional bicycle path. The bicycle path will be located between the footpath and the parked traffic lane on the western side of the street and be separated from parked traffic by a median strip.
The submission period for cycleway comments has been extended for a fourth time to June 6.
After repeated requests to Council for a detailed plan, Save Bourke Street Trees spokesman Luke Harper says residents’ frustrations have not been put to rest with the release of the concept plans.
Mr Harper said Council’s latest plans ‘make it very clear that the future of the trees earmarked for removal is still very undecided’.
‘The uproar from residents has finally forced council to release the details of the plans and attempt to placate the anger that they see will be vented on them in the September Council elections,’ he said.
Mr Harper said residents want an assurance from Council that heritage trees will not be removed.
City of Sydney CEO Monica Barone said that draft project maps have been released so that local communities along the route can comment.
‘These maps are the next stage in engaging the community following an introductory pamphlet distributed to more than 22,000 residents in March and a localised door knocking program undertaken by Council staff in recent weeks,’ Ms Barone said.
‘Working together with the local community, we will get the best final design for the cycleway.’
At least 16 trees along the route will be affected because, Council says they protrude onto the street and pose a serious risk to cyclists. Four ‘unhealthy’ trees at Wooloomooloo and Waterloo will get the chop and will be replaced with mature species, while another, at the corner of Bourke Street and Zamia Street, East Redfern, will be relocated.
The future of the remaining 11 trees remains unclear, with Council considering several options. Pruning and diversion are two under consideration; however Council says diverting the cycleway will result in the loss of further on-street parking.
Parking is another concern that residents say is not answered in the concept plans. The removal of about 12 car parking spaces on the western side of Bourke Street between Phelps and Rainford Streets will provide space for the separated section of the cycleway. Council designers are investigating providing replacement parking in nearby cross streets by adding blisters to the footpaths.
The cycleway is the first step in bringing Sydney inline with cities such as London, New York, Melbourne and Copenhagen, where cycling is gaining popularity as a healthy and environmentally friendly transport option.
‘The City is working to ensure Sydney has cycleways that are safe and convenient for everyone to use’, Ms Barone said.
Community information forums on the draft design plans will be held today (Saturday May 24) at the Mary McDonald Activity Centre, Woolloomooloo, 9am to 10am, SCEGGS Great Hall, Darlinghurst from 10.30am to 11.30am, Ron Williams Activity Centre, Redfern from noon to 1pm, and Medina on Crown, Surry Hills from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Phone the Bourke Street Cycle Road Community Liaison Officer, David Robinson on 0419 615 806 for further information.