Park take over by RTA
Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas is outraged that the decision to acquire land for construction purposes for the Iron Cove Bridge duplication has come before any consideration by the RTA of submissions received during the environmental assessment that has been on public exhibition.
The Roads and Traffic Authority has advised City of Canada Bay that they require compulsory acquisition of Council land for use during the Victoria Road upgrade and Iron Cover Bridge duplication.
Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said, "Throughout this process the RTA has told us that they intend to listen to our community and that they will keep the community involved. It seems clear to me however that despite them 'talking the talk', the RTA has failed to 'walk the walk'.
"Telling Council to give up land, while the assessment process continues makes a mockery of the consultation and suggests that the decision to duplicate the Iron Cove Bridge has long been made."
Acquisition of park land for use as a construction compound and a car park has further enraged Mayor Tsirekas.
"The RTA's plan to turn part of beautiful Brett Park and nearby green space into a concrete slab surrounded by unsightly fencing is abominable. It is certainly not something our residents would support and it is not supported by Council."
In a letter sent to Council, the RTA states their intention to occupy a section of Brett Park, Drummoyne and a section of land located on the corner of Formosa Street and Henley Marine Drive opposite the park, and to use this land for a construction compound and a car park.
Mayor Tsirekas has said that he will be demanding that the RTA complete a local area traffic management plan in Drummoyne and parts of the City that will be impacted by the construction of a second bridge, in order to consider the full impact of their plans and the increased traffic it will generate, before they take any action.
"How they can do this without even looking at the impact this will have on local traffic baffles me but based on their approach to things so far, it probably shouldn't surprise me," Mayor Tsirekas concluded.
