* FAQ

FAQ...

MOODIE STREET TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS

Q: Residents of Moodie Street have approached North Sydney Council on many occasions seeking a safer situation be created, however despite representatives investigating during non-peak periods little has occurred.
 
At one stage North Sydney Council suggested building a pedestrian footpath on the Ernest Street (iii) end, and making this section No Parking, however there is insufficient parking in the Moodie Street area for residents as it is as can be borne out by the amount of “illegal” parking in our apartment building’s Visitor Car Park.
 
A cheap, quick, simple method of addressing the situation would be to conduct a “test” by making Moodie Street One Way Traffic from Falcon Street to Ernest Street (south to north) for a period of 12 to 24 months to see if this alleviated the situation as there are more suitable (wide) thoroughfares close by that could provide an alternative.
 
If after the trial period the situation had improved significantly the position could be made permanent, and maybe at some later date a pedestrian footpath be added to the Ernest Street end.
 
With the above in mind can you as an Independent Candidate for the St Leonards’ Ward advise me if you will support such a decision, and ensure its rapid implementation before someone is seriously injured or killed?

A: I'm aware of the increasingly difficult traffic situation in your area and Moodie Street, in particular.

My personal view is that following traffic engineering advice the solution is likely to be a change to one-way from Falcon to Ernest Streets as you suggest.   I am committed to Council prioritising this issue and support the following:

• Council immediately undertake an wholistic traffic study of the area bounded by Ernest/Miller/Falcon Streets and the Warringah Freeway (including Moodie Street) to identify traffic and parking measures to ameliorate the current situation and to protect pedestrian safety;

• the traffic study and recommendations be publicly consulted to the affected residents and the community more generally;

• following such consultation, a 12-24 month trial of changed traffic arrangements be undertaken and monitored by Council's traffic engineer; and

• at the conclusion of the trial, Council review the data and, if recommended, permanently adopt any changes.

[ZOE BAKER]

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CYCLING 

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Q: "As a cyclist residing in the North Sydney area, it is hard not to be dismayed by the current council's seemingly anti cycling stance.
As a serving councillor what are your plans to change this? and what do you intend to do to help create more cycling infrastructure to allow, children the elderly and less mobile people be able to stay fit healthy and safe, whilst riding in the area."

A:  One  of the reasons I first stood for Council was that I wanted more than a “paint tin and stencil approach” to cycling infrastructure.  I moved for Council to prepare and adopt the current integrated cycling strategy and to ensure that delivery of that infrastructure was embedded in each budget to ensure roll out would occur.

I am a long time supporter of cycling and take great pride in having delivered new cycling infrastructure across the local government area in my time on Council (eg, separated cycle ways on Sutherland Street, West Street, Ridge Street and more planned and budgeted to be delivered).

In my opinion, unfortunately, the majority bloc on the current Council are hostile to cycling and very supportive of cars and traffic generating, large scale development.  The true independents on the current Council, Cr MaryAnn Beregi, Cr Tony Carr and I, have been very much minority voices on these issues.   

Hopefully the community will elect a more representative group committed to sustainable transport measures, particularly cycling infrastructure, at these elections.   
 
So, to answer your questions:

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1. My plans to change the hostile Council position to sustainable transport, including cycling infrastructure, is to work extremely hard to be re-elected with other like-minded candidates.  If elected, I will continue to champion and advocate for these issues.

2.  In terms of what I intend to do to create more and safer cycling infrastructure - the current North Sydney Integrated  Cycling Strategy was developed and adopted in 2012/13 and a number of the routes have been delivered on the ground.  It is time to undertake a review of the strategy with the aim of updating it and re-prioritising the routes that have yet to be delivered and explore ways to create new routes that promote access for all (eg avoid hills, provide infrastructure and breaks within the separated cycleways to allow for breaks, water stations and repairs along the way, for example).

[ZOE BAKER]

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CAMMERAY GOLF COURSE 

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Q: I noticed that you have spoken against the loss of the beautiful trees in the area.  So just wondering what your position on the destruction of the golf course itself - including the lake I believe - is?

 Do you believe it is still worth trying to save it?  Are you aware of alternatives that Council has proposed?  Do you have any suggestions for what locals can do to try and save the course for future generations?

A: My long-standing position is that the golf course (which is part of Cammeray Park and dedicated Crown land for the purpose of public recreation) serves an extremely important role as both a place of public recreation and as the “green lungs” of our area.

The lake is especially important as it serves as a stormwater reuse and storage facility and is used to water Cammeray Park and St Leonards Park.  

As you know, it is all under threat, with the permanent loss of 2.5 hectares of Cammeray Park, if the Western Harbour Tunnel and Northern Beaches link projects proceed.



In my view, it is not too late to halt these projects and the devastating impacts on Cammeray, Anzac and St Leonards Parks.  It is very much worth trying to save the golf club land.

 Much of the discussion about alternatives between Transport for NSW (TfNSW), Council and the golf club has been negotiated under a veil of confidentiality and secrecy.   At present, even as a councillor, I have not been privy to any of the plans put forward by TfNSW for the golf course, post-construction.

 I suggest that locals who wish to try to save the land for future generations do any and all of the following:

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• join the existing resident action groups, like Nortag and Stop the Tunnels;

• participate with the local precinct committees (Registry, Parks, Bay - see Council’s website for details: https://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/Lists/Search_Results?dlv_DLV+Search=(keyword=Precincts));

• write to the Premier, Minister for Transport, local MP demanding that they ensure that the park (including golf club land) is preserved; and

• ensure your vote at the Council elections on 4 December 2021 goes to a candidate who is prepared to fight for this precious public open and recreation space.

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[ZOE BAKER]

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