traffic committee minutes 16 august 2011 · 16 august 2011 _____ present: members: cr helen mclucas...

MINUTES OF THE STRATHFIELD TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 16 AUGUST 2011

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PRESENT: MEMBERS:

Cr Helen McLucas Chair, SMC Mr David Chui RTA representative Sgt Kelly Winter Flemington LAC

OBSERVERS: Mr Rob Bourke Director Operations, SMC Mr David Yee Manager EW & S, SMC Mr Ashur Toma Traffic Engineer, SMC Mr Peter Whitney STA Representative Mr Jeff Reeves Representing Charles Casuscelli MP

APOLOGIES: Nil

MINUTES: Mr Ashur Toma

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The meeting opened at 10.00am

Confirmation of Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee meeting held on 21 June 2011.

T26/11 Recommendation:

Traffic Committee confirmed the minutes of the Traffic Committee meeting held on 21 June 2011.

(Voting on this item was unanimous) _________________________________________________________________

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1. Signs and Line Marking

1.1 The Crescent, Homebush – Traffic and Parking Issues

The issue of traffic and parking near the Pre Uni at The Crescent and Subway Lane intersection has been raised by residents on various occasions. The key concerns are vehicles double parking east of the Subway Lane intersection to pick up and drop off students and vehicles turning right into the Pre Uni and Council carpark. As a result the traffic flow on the Crescent and Subway Lane is restricted due to cars parked on the northern side of The Crescent east of Subway Lane.

This issue is most prevalent at weekends. It is considered that the situation can be improved by the provision of parking restrictions on Saturdays on the northern side of The Crescent opposite Pre Uni. This will allow the kerb side line to be used as a drop off zone as well as allowing vehicles to pass right turning vehicles in the morning and evening peaks.

The area will be available for parking between 10am and 2:30pm. A similar arrangement currently exists on the southern of The Crescent at the front of the Pre Uni.

It is therefore proposed to install No Parking part time on Saturday 8:30am-10am, 2:30pm-7:30pm as shown in Annexure A to improve the safety of the intersection and traffic flow in the locality.


1. No Parking 8:30am-10am, 2:30pm-7:30pm Saturday Only be installed on The Crescent east of Subway Lane as shown in Annexure A.

2. The residents, businesses and Pre-Uni to be advised of the proposed parking arrangement in the area.

(Voting on this item was unanimous)

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Annexure A Page 1 of 1

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1.2 Homebush Road and Albert Road, Strathfield – Keep Clear Pavement Marking

This matter has been tabled to the Strathfield Traffic Committee on previous occasions. It was proposed to install traffic lights at the intersection which was not supported by the RTA as the intersection did not meet the warrants for traffic lights. The Traffic Committee recommended the investigation of a roundabout at the intersection.

A preliminary investigation of the intersection indicates that a roundabout will cause difficulty in achieving safe turning movements for large vehicles and buses.

The most current annual accident data analysis for the Strathfield LGA shows that the location has only one accident recorded for the period of July 2005 – June 2010. The intersection would not meet the warrant for a roundabout based on this data.

Currently, Council is investigating a concept design for a roundabout to accommodate large vehicles and buses. As an interim measure it is proposed to install “Keep Clear” pavement marking at the intersection and additional line marking to delineate lanes for right turning vehicles from Homebush Road into Albert Road.

It is considered that these measures will assist the flow of traffic at the intersection and in particular right turn movements from Homebush Road into Albert Road.

T28/11 Recommendation: 1. Keep Clear pavement marking and associated linemarking be installed at the

intersection of Homebush Road and Albert Road as shown in Annexure B. 2. A further report on the roundabout be referred to the Traffic Committee.


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Annexure B Page 1 of 1

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1.3 Francis Street and Oxford Road, Strathfield – Installation of Bus Zones

Council has received requests from residents regarding bus stops within Strathfield LGA. Concerns have been raised as a result of vehicles being fined for being within the statutory no stopping distances of a bus stop, namely 20m on the approach and 10m on the departure side.

This is particularly the case in areas of high demand for parking such as the locations in Francis Street and Oxford Road.

It is therefore proposed to install Bus Zones at the existing bus stops in Francis Street and Oxford Road. The proposed Bus Zones will improve the parking and enforcement issues in the streets by clearly marking the restricted area.


1. Bus Zones be installed at the existing bus stop in Francis Street and Oxford Road as shown in Annexure C.

2. The affected residents be advised of the proposed changes.


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Annexure C Page 1 of 2

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Annexure C Page 2 of 2

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1.4 Albert Road and Elva Street, Strathfield – Keep Clear Pavement Marking

Council has received representations regarding the queue length of vehicles in Albert Road and Elva Street. During peak periods traffic can queue from the traffic lights at Raw square and restrict the right turn movement from Albert Road into Elva Street. It is proposed to install a keep clear pavement marking at Albert Road and Elva Street intersection to improve the opportunity right turn movements into Elva Street. This treatment will allow vehicles to turn right whenever there is space to turn into Elva Street. Council will continue to monitor the operation of the intersection. There may be an opportunity for the provision of separate turning lanes on Albert Road at the intersection. This will be investigated by Council Officers. T30/11 Recommendation:

1. Keep Clear pavement marking be installed at the intersection of Albert Road and Elva Street as shown Annexure D.

2. Council investigate the provision of left and right turn lanes on Albert Road.


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Annexure D Page 1 of 1

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1.5 Churchill Avenue, Strathfield – Proposed Two Hour Parking Restrictions

Council has received representations from residents in Churchill Avenue in regard to a range of traffic and parking issues in the street. A key concern was commuter parking taking up spaces throughout the day. As a result of changes by the Roads and Traffic Authority to permit parking schemes Council is restricted in its ability to enforce the current Parking Permit arrangements. The changes mean that the vast majority of residents in Churchill Avenue are no longer eligible for a Parking Permit. Council is reviewing options for the longer term parking arrangements in the area. In the interim, it is proposed to change the parking restrictions in Churchill Avenue to standard 2 hour restrictions from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. This will apply to all residents and the general public parking in the street. The 5 minute parking in the vicinity of the school will remain. A 2 hour limit will provide a higher turnover of vehicles creating more parking opportunity for residents, visitors, tradesmen and other services. This proposal should alleviate the main concerns residents have raised in regard to the volume of parked vehicles in the street. Subject to general support from residents the proposed changes will be trialled for a period of 6 months and will be reviewed at the end of that time. Council distributed 96 leaflets to the residents in Churchill Avenue. A total of 22 responses were received, with 18 in favour and 4 not in favour of the proposed 2 hour parking. T31/11 Recommendation:

1. That 2 hour parking restrictions in Churchill Avenue be installed on both sides between Raw Square and Homebush Road as shown in Annexure E.

2. The parking arrangement to be trialled for a period of 6 months. 3. The affected residents be advised of the results prior to implementing the changes.


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Annexure E Page 1 of 2

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Annexure E Page 1 of 2

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2. Special Events

2.1. Road Closure, Strathfield – Strathfield Food Festival ‘Asian Fusion’ Strathfield Council is organising the Strathfield Food Festival ‘Asian Fusion’ to occur on Sunday 23 October 2011 at Strathfield Square. Council’s Communications and Cultural Services Department submitted a road closure application to close The Boulevarde north of Parnell Street traffic lights, Albert Road between The Boulevarde and Strathfield Square and Churchill Avenue east of Strathfield Square. A copy of the road closure plan is shown below. It is advised that Council’s Communications and Cultural Services Department will notify the Taxi companies, City Rail, businesses and other stakeholders in the area of the proposed road closure and Council will arrange the necessary staff and facilities for the closure. T32/11 Recommendation:

1. Approve the road closure and traffic control plan as shown in the Annexure F.


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Annexure F Page 1 of 1

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3. Road Safety – Road Safety Officer’s Position is currently vacant, and is in the recruitment phase

4. Regional Roads – Nil

5. Developments – Nil

6. General Business

6.1 Roads, Strathfield – Nominated Black Spot Locations

Strathfield Council has undertaken an analysis of the RTA accident data to identify locations suitable for funding under the Black Spot Program. A further report will be brought back to the Committee with the proposed treatments for the nominated locations if the funding applications are successful. The following table shows the top 5 sites identified. A further detailed analysis of each site will be undertaken to identify the scope of works, budget estimates and Benefits Cost Ratio. This information will inform the basis of the submission for funding for 2012/2013 program. The funding submissions close on 19 August 2011. This item is for committee’s information. Street Intersection /

Black Length No. of Accidents

RUM Description

Cosgrove Road

Black Length 59 71 Left off carriageway into Object

Water Street Black Length 33 71 Left off carriageway into Object The Crescent Black Length 18 0,40,71 Off Road, Pedestrian, Emerging from

driveway Henley Road Near Exeter Road 12 0,1,2 Pedestrian Abbotsford Road

Rochester Street 6 10 Cross Traffic


1. The submission of the above locations for the National Black Spot Program be noted.


6.2 Albert Road, Strathfield – Request for Disabled Parking Space

Council has received a request for a disabled parking space in front of Jesmond Aged Care at 81-85 Albert Road, Strathfield. The request was mainly based on a need for a facility to assist with the drop off and pick up of residents. There are currently no parking restrictions on the street and the facility manager has indicated that the street is often parked out all day. Council has investigated the matter and noted that the facility does have off-street parking at the rear and has a disabled parking space at the front of the main entrance to the building. The provision of a disabled space must comply with the relevant Australian Standards for parking. The width of the road at the front of the property would not be in compliance with these standards without significant modification and cost. It is considered that the request may be addressed by providing short term parking at the front e.g. ½ hour to facilitate the drop off and collection of residents of the facility and to provide a higher turnover than occurs with the current unrestricted parking.

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This item is for Committee’s discussion. T34/11 Recommendation:

1. Install ½ hour parking in front of the Jesmond Aged Care as shown in the Annexure G.

2. Advise Jesmond Aged Care of the recommendation prior to the installation.


Annexure G

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6.3 Margaret Street, Strathfield – Request for 15 Minutes Parking

Council and RTA received a request to install 15min parking restrictions in Margaret Street to assist residents/customers collecting their mail at the post office in The Boulevrade. Due to introducing the bus lane only in Redmyre Road and removal of the 15min parking in the Boulevarde, residents find it difficult to get a parking space near to the post office to collect their mail box as the surrounding streets are in high demand. Council’s officer and RTA representative had a site meeting and proposed to convert the existing 1 hour parking on the northern side of Margaret Street to 15min parking. This proposal will encourage turn over of parking in the area and will also assist customers/residents collecting their mail. T35/11 Recommendation:

1. Approve the installation of 15min parking as shown in Annexure H.


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Annexure H

Next Meeting Date: 20 September 2011 Meeting Closed 10:40am

traffic committee minutes 16 august 2011 · 16 august 2011 _____ present: members: cr helen mclucas...

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