‘We need a single plan for the northern suburbs’

Not long before Christmas the proposed road clearways for Thirroul were scrapped. Thanks to leadership shown from Save Thirroul Village and the Thirroul Village Committee, the response from residents was characteristically thoughtful.

We objected to the impact on business, the loss of village character. And we knew that any tweak wouldn’t matter without addressing the whole region.

The Transport for NSW approach has been atrocious with its euphemistic traffic “solutions”.

We know that the traffic problems on Lawrence Hargrave aren’t bound up in one suburb. A nip and tuck in one area only pushes the problems around.

The problem isn’t one set of lights, one right-hand turn or one clearway. It is the absence of a single plan recognising the challenges caused by our growing population, new medium-density developments and the high volume of tourists.

More people wanting to visit, live, work and raise families here isn’t a bad thing. Far from it! My great-grandparents moved here for work when transferred from the Junee railway depot, and our family stayed for the same reasons others have: lifestyle, community and natural beauty.

We need a single traffic, public and active transport plan for the region. We need one plan that captures the needs of people from Bulli to Stanwell Park and up to Helensburgh.

Without a single multi-modal, multi-government Northern Suburbs traffic and transport plan – based on real consultation – we’ll continue having to swat away the haphazard suggestions from Sydney-based officials as they bob in and out of town.

We have a strong base to work from, starting with an existing heavy rail line. We have several preserved but unused road corridors. We have a community keen for more active transport solutions like cycling. Finally, we have the best asset of all – interested, positive and engaged citizens who want to see the best for our home.

So why can’t we harness our creativity and collective spirit and build a single plan?

Why can’t we think about heavy rail operating more like a shuttle service in off-peak times? Why can’t the earmarked (or closed) secondary rail bridge crossings become ‘locals only’ roads? Why can’t we identify improvements to cycle paths? And if the community wants to talk about a Bulli bypass, why can’t it be on the discussion table?

Plans build consensus. Until we have a single traffic and transport plan for all of the northern suburbs, there will be no consensus at all.