Minimal feedback sought on intersection plans
Transport for NSW sought feedback on its Blackwall Rd intersection plans from less than 15 per cent of the Peninsula's population and less than a quarter of the numbers of people it claims use the road each day.
The State Government department now also seems to be reneging on its stated intention to "continue consultation with the community ... throughout the next planning stages".
The statement was made in a community consultation report issued in September.
The report stated that only 4200 people had been invited to provide feedback in February last year while claiming that 18,000 motorists used the road every day.
The Peninsula has an approximate population of 40,000 people.
No media release was issued to Peninsula News about the intersection plans at the time.
The report said that the consultation aimed to seek community feedback and "to build a database and knowledge of community members and stakeholders for Transport for NSW to engage with through the development and delivery of the intersection upgrade".
However, it appears resident groups were not contacted.
Save Woy Woy Waterfront community group president Mr Ross Cochrane said he had not heard from Transport for NSW.
Transport NSW media manager Mr Wade O'Leary said last week that the intersection plans published in the last issue of Peninsula News were based on information that was over a year old.
These are the most recent plans published on the department's website.
He said the consultation report summarised 30 submissions received in response to last year's consultation exercise.
He also implied that the department was not interested in further feedback until "later this year", despite the consultation report recommending that consultation continue "throughout".
Submissions considered would be limited to those covered in the report.
"Transport for NSW will consider this feedback while developing the concept designs and carrying out the environmental assessment," he said.
"More information is expected to be provided to the community later this year."
SOURCE:
Media release, 30 Mar 2021
Wade O'Leary, Transport for NSW