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WILLIAMS STREET (see also Street Closures and Roozendall answers Rhiannon)

PUSH ON Article

Just in time for RTA NSW BIKE WEEK 23rd September to 1st October 2006 comes... (seething with irony). At least we will be able to ride two abreast again, only problem is there will be all those cars in the way holding up the traffic.

14 August 2006

• Remind me again why when bicycle sales have outstripped car sales for the last five years, and when registration of motor vehicles declines everywhere except WA - which already has one of the best bicycle networks in Australia - should we still have to compete for space on the roads with motorists - one vote one value? Car makers cut local output as sales decline - SMH 14 Aug 2006

SAUSAGES AGAINST STUPIDITY - Backpedalling on Williams Street III

This Sunday July 30 midday at Kings Cross.

SAUSAGES AGAINST STUPIDITY

I considered having a hunger strike, but that just seemed daft, the 3Cs, Cycling, Coffee and Chocolate go together so well.

So I'm calling on the vegan cyclist hordes of Sydney to descend on William St and protest the removal of the William St bike lanes by eating meat (or a viable meat substitute if you must) this Sunday at a Kings Cross back-of-the-bike sausage sizzle.

I'm currently turning a BOB trailer into a mobile BBQ/billbord protest machine, and will be bringing a tandem to pull it, the stokers seat is reserved for Morris Iemma if he wants to join us, though I expect he will be absent. If anyone else has a tandem, please invite the politician of your choice who can be absent as well so Morris doesn't feel left out.

Meet midday at Kings Cross in front of the ugly stick and ball sculptures (Ken Unsworth, "Stones Against the Sky") , near the big Coke sign at the intersection of Victoria St and Kings Cross Road for Sausages Against Stupidity.

Basic times are:

• 9am assemble Riverwood
• 9:30am sharp, depart Riverwood
• midday Kings Cross, SAS start cooking
• 12:45pm depart to ride William St then return to Kings X.
• 2pm depart Kings Cross for Riverwood
• 5pm pizza, plonk and planning, Riverwood

I know its dumb, but I don't see why the government should have all the fun doing stupid things like getting rid of bike lanes. Given a concerted effort, we cyclists can match their dullness with something suitably senseless.

Heres details of the ride from Riverwood to Kings Cross:

• July 30 Sunday - Backpedalling on William St
• Distance: 55km return (27km one way)
• Grade: some traffic, includes cyclepaths, includes cycleways, moderate pace
• Contact: Paul Johnson 0438536458 (h) or pauljohnson@pacific.net.au
• Starts at: assemble 9:00am opposite Premier Morris Iemmas office in his local electorate, 48 Thurlow St, Riverwood (visible from Riverwood railway station). Ride leaves 9:30am sharp! Don't be late!

Morris Iemma, NSW Premier and Member for Lakemba, controversially announced on 05/06/06 (World Environment Day!) intentions to remove the just completed bike lanes on William St to make way for another eastbound general lane. Sartor has now signed approval to go ahead.

Cycle from Iemmas office via M5East path, Bexley North, Tempe, Mascot, Rosebery to arrive midday at Kings Cross near the big Coke sign to torture sausages. 12:45pm depart for a spin on William St and hopefully Kent St, then back to Kings Cross. Depart Kings Cross 2:00pm for return via similar route for pizza, plonk and planning (the only PPP you'll ever want to be involved in) at Riverwood at Monte Carlos resturant, opens 5:00pm, close to station and cab rank (so no excuses for cycling home under the influence if you enjoy yourself to much).

If you want to get the train between Riverwood and Kings Cross there is no trackwork scheduled on the Airport and East Hills Line, but there is trackwork and buses on the Eastern Suburbs Line, so I suggest you use Museum or St James stations.

The times for morning trains to Riverwood are:

Central-Riverwood

• 8:23am-8:48am
• 8:38am-9:08am
• 8:53am-9:18am

Proposed route (the same as the last two times) to Kings Cross is at: bikely

There is an A4 PDF poster for the ride to put up on noticeboards, etc at: poster or from poster

Let Premier Morris Iemmma know you don't want cycle lanes removed as a result of the Cross City Tunnel fiasco. Download the petition to the Legislative Assembly available at: petition Get some signatures on it (even just one is still ok), send it to Iemma or your local member, whose details you can find at: local member search

Bye, Paul Johnson

16 JULY 2006

Boulevard of Broken Promises pdf. Andrew Dodds and Fiona Campbell address the Williams St debacle.

"Ok, lets make it definately July 16 midday (Sunday) for the rides to meet then, and very likely at the same place as last time (near corner of Kings Cross Rd and Victoria St)..."

BUGS to converge upon intersection of Victoria St and Darlinghurst Road, above the Williams St Tunnel at 12 MIDDAY to ride through the City and return to Kings Cross by 2:00pm.

Photos

IT IS DONE

"I go, and it is done; the bell invites me / Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell / That summons thee to heaven or to hell." --From Macbeth (II, i, 62-64)

10 JULY 2006

It is done. Minister Sartor has approved the RTA changes, except for the removal of the bike lanes on Kings Cross Road and Craigend Street - we are tossed just a crumb to show we've made an impact.

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#gma

Not good enough. We will fight on.

This Sunday BikeSouthWest and BikeNorth have rides from Iemma's office and Watkins' office respectively, to William St.

On Friday at 6pm near Central there will be another planning meeting for a media action (probably on 24 July).

I'm not ready to give up yet.

Fiona

04 JULY 2006

• Why not try a congestion tax...

SUNDAY 16 JULY

Backpedalling on Williams Street II

Boulevard of Broken Promises pdf. Andrew Dodds and Fiona Campbell address the Williams St debacle.

"Ok, lets make it definately July 16 midday (Sunday) for the rides to meet then, and very likely at the same place as last time (near corner of Kings Cross Rd and Victoria St)..."

BUGS to converge upon intersection of Victoria St and Darlinghurst Road, above the Williams St Tunnel at 12 MIDDAY to ride through the City and return to Kings Cross by 2:00pm.

Join with other cyclists from various bugs to sent a message to government that bike lanes do belong in our city.

Ryde Start 9:30am PDF

Naremburn Start 10:30am PDF

Riverwood Start 9:00am PDF

Newtown Start 10:00am - Massbug members can join the City Circuit Ride and then proceed to meet other cyclists at Kings Cross.

More info at ... http://www.bikenorth.org.au

More info contact: Paul Johnson mobile 0438536458 or contact@bikesouthwest.org.au Bike South West

BikeSouthWest* - Backpedalling on Williams Street!

Assemble 9:30am opposite Premier Morris Iemmas office in his local electorate, 48 Thurlow St, Riverwood (visible from Riverwood railway station entrance). Ride leaves 10:00am sharp!

Distance: 55km (27km one way to Kings Cross)

NSW Premier Morris Iemma is also Member for Lakemba, and on 05/06/06 (World Environment Day!) announced intentions to remove the just completed eastbound bike lanes on William St to make way for another general lane. Cycle from his local electorate office at Riverwood via the M5East path, Bexley North, Tempe, Mascot, Rosebery, Moore Park to arrive 12:30pm at Kings Cross... (and return)... More... Williams St - Put yourself in this space .pdf (poster) *Contact: Paul Johnson mobile 0438536458 or contact@bikesouthwest.org.au

Photos BACKPEDALLING ON WILLIAMS STREET

The Hon. John Hatzistergos

Minister for Health

Level 31 Governor Macquarie Tower

1 Farrer Place

Sydney NSW 2000

The Hon. Bob Debus, MP

Minister for Environment

Level 36 Governor Macquarie Tower

1 Farrer Place

Sydney NSW 2000

22 June 2006

Re: NSW Health input into transport planning

Dear Minister Hatzistergos/Debus,

The Auditor-General’s Performance Audit, Managing Air Quality (2005), found Poor transport infrastructure planning has the potential to induce more traffic and congestion, hence more pollution. A key objective of Action for Air was that transport planning better consider likely air quality impacts.

The report recommended that,

A defined role for the DEC and NSW Health in transport planning and assessment is crucial to minimising the environmental and health impacts of transport proposals.

On 5 June the NSW Premier announced changes to the Cross City Tunnel Project, including the removal of existing bike lanes on William Street, Craigend Street and Kings Cross Road, to make more room for motor traffic. This retrograde step is in breach of the Planning Minister's Conditions of Consent (September 2001) and has obvious multiple negative health implications.

What input, in line with the Auditor-General's recommendations of last year, is NSW Health having into the process of assessing these proposed changes?

We note that the NSW Government's recently released Metropolitan Strategy states,

The cost of meeting unconstrained travel demands, particularly in peak periods, is becoming prohibitive. Building new capacity just to meet peak needs is very expensive, and as has been demonstrated in other cities, will not solve transport problems or improve accessibility on its own. Demand for travel needs to be managed and sustainable travel choices and access should be maintained or improved.

and

Better facilities will encourage more walking and cycling for everyday travel. Walkers and cyclists need high quality, safe and direct routes.

In the context of current government policy, and in the context of the need for transport planning health impacts to play a greater role in decision making, it is inappropriate and inexcusable for the Iemma Government to remove this existing public health infrastructure.

We look forward to hearing details of NSW Health's contribution to achieving positive outcomes for the health and well being of the community by ensuring these proposed changes do not proceed.

Andrew Dodds

President

BikeSydney

We may be running out of time. The RTA lodged the modification request now and Planning will only say that they are processing it "as a high priority". They refuse to be drawn on a time estimate. No EIS in sight. No formal public submission process, but submissions can be made to Glenn Snow, Senior Planning Officer, Major Infrastructure Assessments (see below).

I will send letters to the Health and Environment Ministers today, seeking their help based on the auditor-general's recommendation last year they should be involved in transport planning decisions.

Any other suggestions/actions to turn the heat right up would be welcome.

Fiona

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/register2006.asp#gma

Proposal title: Cross City Tunnel

Description: The construction and operation of a road tunnel under Central Sydney between Darling Harbour and Kings Cross, Sydney

Location: Sydney

Local Government Area: City of Sydney

Approval Authority: Minister for Planning

Relevant Legislation: Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Proponent: Roads and Traffic Authority

Status:

03 October 2001 - Project Approved

12 December 2002 - Major Modification Approved

14 June 2006 - Modification Application (MOD 74-6-2006) lodged with the Department seeking approval to:

• reopen Druitt Street to general traffic running westbound between Kent Street and Clarence Street;

• retain two right turn lanes from Elizabeth Street northbound into Park Street eastbound; not install a new bus lane southbound on Elizabeth street between Park Street and Bathurst Street;

• provide an additional traffic lane eastbound along William along William Street east of Palmer Street to McElhone Street;

• remove cycle lanes on Kings Cross Road eastbound between Darlinghurst Road and Ward Avenue and westbound on Craigend Street between Roslyn Street footbridge and Darlinghurst Road;

• change the intersection arrangements in and around Sir John Young Crescent:

• remove the seagull island at the intersection of Sir John Young Crescent and Cowper Wharf Road to allow direct access to the harbour crossing from Palmer Street/Sir John Young Crescent;

• reintroduce traffic signals at the intersection of Palmer Street and Sir John Young Crescent to assist efficiency of traffic flow;

• change Palmer Street from one lane northbound and one lane southbound between Sir John Young Crescent and Cathedral Street to two lanes northbound;

• and reinstall the second right turn lane on the Cahill Expressway off ramp to Cowper Wharf Road;

• and provide a dedicated right turn lane at Queens Cross for a turning movement from Darlinghurst Road northbound into Kings Cross Road eastbound.

Documents available:

Modification Application (MOD 74-6-2006) HYPERLINK "pdf/cross_city_tunnel_surface_traffic_modification.pdf"Cross City Tunnel Surface Traffic Modifications

Appendix A – relevant figures

Appendix B – Illustrations of the proposed modifications

Appendix C – proposed modifications to the approved conditions

Appendix D – Operational Traffic Assessment

Appendix E – Noise Assessment

Appendix F – Approved Urban Design of Queens Cross Works

Further inquiries: Glenn Snow 9228 6352 Glenn.Snow@planning.nsw.gov.au

20 JUNE 2006

"City Talk: What makes cities great?"

Exploring Public Spaces in Sydney and other Leading World Cities

Two leading architecture and urban design experts will speak on the topic "What Makes Cities Great" at a free City Talk on 20 June 2006. Director of Design and Culture at the City of Melbourne, Professor Robert Adams, and Chairman of Hassell, a successful design and planning practice, Ken Maher, will discuss the public domain in Sydney and Melbourne and explore examples of public space in other leading world cities.

The free City Talks presented by the City of Sydney and The Sydney Morning Herald, are designed to stimulate discussion on our urban environment.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP will introduce the speakers and media presenter Adam Spencer will MC the session.

Both speakers are leaders in the field of architecture and urban design:

- Professor Robert Adams has received more than 65 state and national awards for excellence. He has more than 30 years experience as a practising architect and urban designer. He will discuss how beautiful and sustainable cities develop and must be based on good urban design.

- Mr Ken Maher is also a Director of the Green Building Council of Australia and has received many international and national awards including the 2002 Sulman Medal for the redevelopment of Sydney's National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). Mr Maher will discuss how design can make cities better places to live, work and play.

Professor Robert Adams foreshadowed Melbourne City Councils plan to introduce kerbside bicycle lanes as a further safety and amenity feature removing cyclists from the motorised traffic stream. A feature of modern European infrastructure, previously advocated by BikeSydney and Massbug for relevent developments such as the various gateway projects including Oxford and Williams Streets. The difference is between the ongoing creation of a living inhabitable navigable city or a parking lot. Prof Adams stated that the Melbourne CBD consisted of 80% street space. Bitumen.

HERALD STAFFERS PRO BIKES AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT

17 JUNE 2006

Burn Fat Not Oil - Sun Herald and Reaching Breaking Point The Herald's columnists' rebuff to Devine.

And for all the factual reasons you "need to know" the Bike Saint's Favourite Road Rules just in case someone asks or cares... meaning these are LEGALLY ENFORCABLE.

miranda

Readers (and writers) letters in support of cycling Sydney Morning Herald - letters

The Bulletin's profile on Miranda

First Wind of change

07 JUNE 2006

Action regarding threatened scrapping of William Street, Kings Cross Road, Craigend St Cycle Lanes.

" BikePlan2010 promised that all new road infrastructure projects would include provision for cycling. The Minister for Planning's Approval Conditions for the Cross City Tunnel project included a requirement for bike lanes on William Street. Action for Air (1998) promised to triple cycling levels. BikePlan2010 also promised $25 million per annum for ten years for cycling infrastructure - that dropped to $15 million and is now just $5 million per annum. Compare that with the $3.3 billion road budget!"

A ride has been called for this Friday, 09 June. Please write and email your local parliamentary representatives and if in the CoS area your local councillors voicing your opposition to any closure of cycle lanes. More news as it comes to hand.

THE SMH ARTICLE THAT STARTED IT ALL

05 JUNE 2006

Acrimonious split after a rocky relationship - SMH 05 June 2006

Parents: Advocacy

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