Page 2046 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 6 August 2014
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They refer to their transit-oriented design that underpins the layout and connects into a regional and local transport network and promotes the use of public transport. We know that LDA traffic studies show the intersections with the main linking roads of Adelaide Avenue and Cotter Road are already over capacity. The same studies show that these traffic volumes will be unsustainable for undivided, two-lane suburban streets.
But apparently all these concerns will be addressed by building a major new bus stop on Adelaide Avenue costing over $3 million. Provided you do not get run down by a car trying to rat-run through the local streets, you will be able to access a bus. Of course, if you are wanting to head towards Woden, then it may require a little more traffic dodging.
But we should not be alarmed even if we drive a car, apparently. As the Treasurer advised me at a recent estimates hearing when pressed about whether sufficient work had been done on traffic flow in the area with the proposed 1,600 new dwellings:
Steve, do you think these guys and all of these professionals are going to completely ignore all of the transport issues?
Mr Barr, it does not really matter what I think. What matters is what the 4,181 signatories to the petition tabled earlier today think. And yes, minister, they do think traffic issues will be ignored and they are concerned.
The traffic impacts through Yarralumla, Deakin and Curtin will be immense because they already have congestion issues. We know that Kent Street in Deakin is already severely congested. The Deakin west Equinox development is not even fully occupied yet but it has already increased traffic as has the Ambassador development and apartments in Hampton Court.
We know the mini roundabout at the junction of Dudley and Novar streets is gridlocked on weekday mornings and will need traffic management measures even without any development in the area and, from the number of complaints my office receives about deteriorating road surfaces and ageing infrastructure, poor street lighting and uneven or absent footpaths, encouraging pedestrian traffic to access public transport is unlikely to be taken up with much enthusiasm.
There is no point in commissioning traffic plan after traffic plan, Mr Barr, each of which highlights the congestion issues that already exist, if the government is not prepared to take notice and act. The current congestion issues need to be addressed and have not been. So what hope is there for better traffic management when the area doubles in size? To put all hope on people catching public transport is just a fanciful pipedream and, in any event, it would need to be more reliable and more accessible to be even considered an alternative for current residents of the area. Given the area has a high number of retirees, consideration for elderly residents using public transport needs to be factored in.
In considering the need for road infrastructure upgrades, there is just as important a need to improve utilities: water, sewerage, power. The inner suburbs are our oldest
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