Description and purpose of works on Old South Head Rd footpath
Luke Bacon made this Government Information (Public Access) request to Woollahra Municipal Council
This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.
Dear Woollahra Municipal Council,
Over the last few months I've noticed ongoing construction work along the footpath of Old South Head Rd, between The Avenue and Curlewis St (along the golf course fence). I'd like to request the basic documents outlining the purpose and description of the project that this work is part of.
I've been enjoying the new cycle path they've built and I'm interested to know the bigger plan and timeline.
I realise this could be an RMS project, but I would assume that the council would possess a basic documentation of the project.
I'd really appreciate your help if you can track down and send the document through and treat this as an informal/administrative request. Or if there is already a description of the project online somewhere, please just point me there. Otherwise, please let me know and we can make this a GIPA request.
Thanks for your help,
Luke Bacon, local resident.
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Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
Telephone (02) 9391 7000
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Dear Luke,
Information as requested.
Regards
Carolyn Nurmi
Administrative Assistant - Information Officer
Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
p 02 9391 7910
[1]www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au
Our Values: Respect for People | Integrity and Excellent Performance |
Professional Quality Service | Open Accountable Communication
From: Rod Ward
Sent: Monday, 10 October 2016 10:11 AM
To: Carolyn Nurmi
Cc: Richard Ladlow
Subject: RE: Government Information (Public Access) request - Description
and purpose of works on Old South Head Rd footpath
Hi Carolyn,
The works referred to by Luke Bacon is the Rose Bay Pedestrian Trail Stage
1 that have been constructed on Old South Head Road between O’Sullivan
Road and Newcastle Street. Although called the Pedestrian Trail it is a
shared pedestrian/cycle path arrangement. Off road paths will be
constructed, where feasible, linking with existing on road paths to create
a network of safe cycling routes as had been done on Old South Head Road.
The works form part of the Woollahra Bike Plan adopted by Council in 2000
and later reviewed and developed into the Woollahra Bicycle Strategy in
2009. The plan is available on Council’s website at :
[2]http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...
The recently completed works are part of a three stage process to develop
a route connecting New South Head Road and Old South Head Rd, essentially
creating a cycle route around the golf courses and linking with Lyne Park
Ferry terminus. Stage 2 of the Pedestrian Trail to be constructed in the
next few months will be a mostly off road pathway along Newcastle Street
from Old South Head Road to Norwich Lane just before the shopping centre.
Stage 3 will be along part of O’Sullivan Road.
Please contact me if you require further information.
Regards
Rod Ward
Project Manager
Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
p 02 9391 7060 m 0411 951 198
w [3]www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au e [4][email address]
Our Values: Respect for People | Integrity and Excellent Performance |
Professional Quality Service | Open Accountable Communication
Dear Carolyn Nurmi,
Thanks heaps for this comprehensive reply. Looks like there's lots of great information in there. I'm looking forward to the future projects too, and making great use of the new cycle path along Old South Head Rd.
All the best,
Luke Bacon
Hi Carolyn,
Does the council hold more up to-date documents (than the 2009 plan) that include visualisations of the excellent off-road cycle path along Old South Head Road next to the golf course?
Thanks for your help,
Luke Bacon
Hi Luke/Rod,
I will forward your email to Rod ward as he was the officer who gave me the information before maybe he can help you further with your enquiries.
Please contact Rod Ward directly.
Regards
Hi Luke,
I am advised that there are no other more recent documents relating to this project. The project was developed both from the desire to progressively implement the Woollahra Bicycle Strategy and a number of public requests to formalise the informal pathway along the grassed verge next to the Royal Sydney Golf Course and when funding allowed. Funding was provided in the 2015-16 and 16-17 financial years to construct three stages of the pathway:
- Old South Head Rd from O'Sullivan Road to Newcastle Street
- Newcastle Street - from Old South Head Road to Norwich Lane
- O'Sullivan Road - from the Woollahra Golf Course entry to old South Head Rd
I trust this information is helpful to you.
Regards
Rod Ward
Project Manager
Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
p 02 9391 7060 m 0411 951 198
w www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au e [email address]
Our Values: Respect for People | Integrity and Excellent Performance | Professional Quality Service | Open Accountable Communication
Hi Rod, Hope you're well.
I'm wondering if you have any more up-to-date documents or correspondence about the proposal in the Cycle plan for work on the Intersection of Birriga Road/O'Sullivan Road/Old South Head Road.
This is a pretty nasty experience on the bike at the moment, because you get to the end of the lovely new Old South Head Rd path at O'Sullivan, wanting to go up Birriga, and the current path seems to direct you to cross O'Sullivan. But there's no signs for this and it feels pretty unsafe. The other option is to cross 3 sets of slow slights off the bike as there's no lights for cyclists at the crossing. I haven't observed anyone taking the latter option.
Coming down hill off Birriga onto Old South Head is also dodgy, as the ramp onto the new cycle path seems specifically designed to deter cyclists (it's a very sharp ramp right next to the traffic light pole). The easier way is to go left on O'Sullivan and do a U turn, which doesn't feel very safe or predictable.
In the cycle plan (http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...) linked to above on this thread, page 25, it talks about potential treatments for these senarios "Investigate suitable treatment to reduce crossing time and distance between Birriga Rd and O'Sullivan Rd facilities. Options include: - one- or two-stage crossing on O'Sullivan Rd leg - refuge crossing on O'Sullivan Road to the north/west of signals".
That seems like it could be the missing link here. The plan says it's of "high potential benefit" which fits with my experience of this intersection. It's says it's "medium feasibility" and projected to cost $33,710. Seems reasonable to improve safety for everyone at this pretty crazy intersection.
Anyway, as you can tell, I'm keen to find out where this is at. If there's any other information or documents relating to this intersection and the cycle plan, could you please send it through? Thanks for your help as always!
Yours sincerely,
Luke Bacon
Hi Luke,
I appreciate your concerns and can advise that the next stage of the shared pathway is underway which is the section on O'Sullivan Rd from the Rugby Club entry to Old South Head Rd I am advised. I haven't seen any plans yet but will forward your concerns to the designer to see if a more satisfactory resolution can be made at the Old South Head Rd end for ingress and egress from the shared path/ road can be designed.
I can also advise a cycle ramp is to be built shortly on old South Head Rd between the traffic lights and the bus stop for cyclists to ride onto the shared pathway from OSH Rd / Birriga Rd so this should address some of your concerns.
Appreciate your comments as we do want to ensure that the outcome works for cyclists.
Regards
Rod Ward
Project Manager
Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
p 02 9391 7060 m 0411 951 198
w www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au e [email address]
Our Values: Respect for People | Integrity and Excellent Performance | Professional Quality Service | Open Accountable Communication
Thanks great news, thanks Rob. I'm so glad I asked!
It's great to heard about these bits and pieces. I think the iterative approach of building it in steps is working well.
Does the council hold a document that includes a timeline of these upcoming works? This could be in correspondence with the people managing the project for example.
Yours sincerely,
Luke Bacon
Hi Luke,
There is no timeline at this stage. The only guide is what's approved in the current budget which does allow for the Stage 3 of the shared pathway.
As mentioned the design work is underway, once that is completed we can go to tender for the construction which takes about 2 to 2 and a half months to complete and engage a contractor. So realistically it may be June or July before works commence providing everything goes according to plan and the possible amalgamation doesn't intrude on the plans. Fingers crossed that won't happen.
Regards
Rod Ward
Project Manager
Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
p 02 9391 7060 m 0411 951 198
w www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au e [email address]
Our Values: Respect for People | Integrity and Excellent Performance | Professional Quality Service | Open Accountable Communication
Thanks Rod.
If you get any response from the designers I'd love to hear what they think. Will the designs be published before they go to tender/will there be any opportunity for participation from local riders?
Is the current budget that contains that stuff you're referring to available to view somewhere?
Thanks again :)
Luke
Hi Luke,
As I'm not involved in the design process and can't advise on whether rider input will be facilitated, best to contact the Parks and Open Space manager, Paul Fraser, to find that out.
Regarding the budget information is available in Council's Delivery and Operational Plan 2016/17 which is available here:
http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...
Scroll to page 80 and it will give you budget details of the Stage 3 project.
Regards
Rod Ward
Project Manager
Woollahra Municipal Council
536 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW 2028
p 02 9391 7060 m 0411 951 198
w www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au e [email address]
Our Values: Respect for People | Integrity and Excellent Performance | Professional Quality Service | Open Accountable Communication
Great Rod, thanks again for all your help with this.
Would you mind forwarding my email on to Paul Fraser. I'd just like to keep the thread going in one piece ;-)
Yours sincerely,
Luke Bacon
Luke Bacon left an annotation ()
Thanks Rod.
If you get any response from the designers I'd love to hear what they think. Will the designs be published before they go to tender/will there be any opportunity for participation from local riders?
Is the current budget that contains that stuff you're referring to available to view somewhere?
Thanks again :)
Luke