Community Protest over removal of parking spaces without notice
by Port Jackson Greens • December 14, 2009 • News, Planning & Development, Transport
Kristina Keneally is setting herself up as the Grinch that stole Christmas,says Acting Leichhardt Mayor, Cr Michele McKenzie, of the State Government’s sudden decision to remove all the parking spaces on one of the busiest shopping strips in Rozelle.
The decision is devastating for the small business owners of Rozelle, and does no favours for the ALP’s struggling local member, Verity Firth, said the Acting Mayor.
The RTA decision to permanently remove 15 parking spaces without discussion or warning will have
a severe effect on a number of businesses, including Vinnies and the Salvos.
The disabled will also lose one badly-needed parking spot, outside the dry cleaners, and elderly
people who need to park near either of the area’s two pharmacies to get their medications will have
to park elsewhere.
The local businesses have effectively been mugged by the government, said Councillor McKenzie.
The first Council knew of this proposal was after one of our local shopkeepers notified us. Our staff
had to call the RTA and request a copy of the householder notice – only to learn that the intention is
to start this Thursday 17 December.
In their notice to residents and businesses, the RTA state that the move is to improve traffic flow
and to allow for the best use of the Inner West Busway when it is being completed.
The Acting Mayor of Leichhardt has now called a public meeting to protest against the move.
There has never been mention of these changes in any of the Victoria Rd/Inner West Busway
project documentation – yet the RTA notice confirms the changes are being undertaken to assist this
project.
Council has requested the immediate postponement of the intended works and that the RTA
undertakes proper consultative processes in the New Year if it wants to pursue these major traffic
changes.
Cr McKenzie wrote to the Member for Balmain, the Hon Verity Firth MP, the RTA and Minister for
Transport & Roads, the Hon David Campbell MP expressing strong opposition to the moves by the
RTA to remove parking on that section of Darling Street.
The removal of these parking space without any notice, particularly during the busiest trading
period of the year, will be devastating for the main street and its local businesses and should be
delayed until proper consultation has occurred, Cr McKenzie said.
You can read a copy of the RTA notice and Acting Mayor, Michele McKenzie’s letter to our local member Verity Firth by clicking on the links below.
