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Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [5.45 p.m.]: I draw to the attention of the House my electorate's concern about the Roads and Traffic Authority's proposal to build a pedestrian fence in Seaforth Village and the recent installation of a no-U-turn sign without consultation. Local businesses and many residents became aware of the authority's intention to build a fence on Sydney Road, Seaforth only a few months ago. Plans were well advanced and would have been implemented had the community not mobilised and demanded to be informed and, ultimately, consulted. We understand that the fence has been proposed because of safety concerns. Indeed, those concerns were stated by the Roads and Traffic Authority. It says that there have been several pedestrian incidents in the past five years. However, those concerns have not been well outlined to the community and the question remains whether they justify the swift action to install the fence, which will effectively cut Seaforth village in half.
I understand that the Minister for Roads has multiple priorities, but this is a critical issue in Seaforth. My community and I ask the Minister to ensure that the Roads and Traffic Authority listens to the community and, most importantly, seriously investigates every available safety option. It should commit to not pressing ahead without full community support. My fear is that this proposal is being pushed ahead before every safety option has been considered.
I have received many concerns from businesses and residents. A business concern from Rocco Papalia, owner of the Trapani Cafe on Sydney Road, said:
I confidently speak on behalf of all businesses and residents concerned that we passionately feel this fence will more likely than not signal the end of this little village. Without convenient accessibility to funnel local community support to our businesses and services, viability will be seriously compromised, and from there it is a flow-on effect. No convenience means little thoroughfare, which means little viability, which means more and more businesses/services ceasing to operate, which sadly leads to no Seaforth village. All you have to do is take a look at the amount of shops in this village displaying a "for lease" sign. The newly installed "no u-turn" sign has already affected our businesses, the proposed fence would be pretty much crippling for business and their livelihood.
From the residents' side, Michael Smellie from Seaforth, wrote:
Of course pedestrian safety is important, however not at all costs. If there is a demonstrable case to improve pedestrian safety (and I understand that this not has been made certainly not to the Precinct), then what are the alternatives that have been looked at? If there were alternatives why were they eliminated?
Residents and businesses have not been consulted. I joined with members of the Seaforth precinct and local residents and business owners and asked the Roads and Traffic Authority to hold a public forum. It delayed the fence installation and held a public forum on 28 September, and we appreciate it doing that. The authority said it would only notify people in a 500-metre radius to the fence about the forum, so I wrote to all residents in Seaforth, because it is about the amenity of their village. Every resident of Seaforth has a right to know what the Roads and Traffic Authority is about to do. About 200 residents came along to the meeting and only one was in support of the fence. I know he is a good man but I do not agree with him on this issue, and certainly 199 fellow residents did not agree with him. The Roads and Traffic Authority agreed to take the community feedback on board and consult again before a decision is made.
Another meeting was held last month at which the authority said it was considering everything but other safety options should be paramount. This is what we are asking the Minister, to make sure the Roads and Traffic Authority goes through in detail every single safety option available. Of course safety is critical and paramount, but just as important is the need to balance residents' concerns, the viability of businesses and the community, which has the village at its core. Several alternative suggestions to improve pedestrian safety at Seaforth village have been made. They include installing a give-way sign for cars turning into Sydney Road from Manly Road, fitting speed reducers to the lane on the approach to this intersection and making Sydney Road and the space of the village a 40-kilometre speed zone. The Minister for Roads listened to concerns raised by the community about bus timetable changes and he amended the timetable. He has also been helpful with regard to the fast ferry. In relation to this he needs to listen to the community and make sure that everything is considered.
The other issue is the no U-turn sign, which was recently installed by the Roads and Traffic Authority at the eastern end of the shops before the lights—again, without consultation. At the public meeting the Roads and Traffic Authority representatives advised that the no U-turn sign was erected after only two telephone complaints to the effect that drivers were not expecting vehicles to do a U-turn there. A couple of telephone complaints do not justify such action. This sign has had a dramatic impact on businesses. This is a serious issue threatening the viability of Seaforth Village. A butcher in Seaforth, David Head, is facilitating a petition against the fence. We seek assurances from the Minister for Roads that every possible option is considered to ensure safety in Seaforth but at the same time the amenity remains.
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