Dust Concerns with M2 Project Widening

The BCCT has forwarded to the M2 project concerns of residents about dust from the rock drilling currently taking place.  At least one resident believes the dust is causing her to have breathing problems.  The project has promised a rapid response.
This blog will keep you informed of events on this issue.

Transitional arrangements pending the repeal of Part 3A

The NSW Government has announced that Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 will be repealed. As such, transitional arrangements will be required for those projects which are already in the major projects assessment system under Part 3A.
On 13 May 2011, the Government announced several transitional arrangements, which includes revoking the Part 3A status of a number of residential, commercial, retail and coastal projects (see list below). Under these arrangements:

• 63 projects will now either not be declared as major projects under Part 3A or will be immediately removed from the Part 3A system and generally handed back local councils for assessment and determination by the relevant Joint Regional Planning Panel.
• 102 other residential, retail, commercial and coastal projects which have substantially progressed within the existing assessment process will continue under Part 3A pending its legislative repeal.
• All applications for other project types (such as mining, chemical and manufacturing, agricultural, tourist and significant infrastructure proposals) which are already in the Part 3A system will continue to be assessed and determined under Part 3A pending its legislative repeal.
• For significant private projects remaining in the system, the Minister will delegate his determination role to the independent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC), while smaller less complex applications will be determined by senior officers of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
• The Government’s position of not accepting any new projects under Part 3A will continue.

The changes will be given effect via an amendment to the Major Development State Environmental Planning Policy.
A number of explanatory documents have also been produced to explain the changes made on 13 May.

Change of BCCT Secretary

Colin Johnstone has resigned as secretary.  The committee agreed to ask David Clark to become secretary when he returns from a trip abroad, and Peter Hewitt has taken over in the interim.

North West Rail Link - Update

Tenders were called Friday for Engineering, Rail Systems and Technical Services for the NWRL.

"The Service Provider is required to develop the Concept, Reference design and delivery contract documentation for the North West Rail Link.  The project will provide 23km of new rail infrastructure from Epping to Rouse Hill.

The Service Provider will work closely with Department of Transport NSW to develop an optimal transport solution, with due consideration to the requirements of the network and metropolitan growth areas.

The Service Provider must have experience of developing designs of a similar nature on other infrastructure projects within a suburban environ and operational rail network."

M2 Response to a BCCT enquiry about the Murray Farm Traffic Lights

Thank you for your email and feedback regarding the temporary traffic management at the Murray Farm Road Bridge.

Several residents have also advised us of the traffic signal sensor issue and we believe confusion is created by the keep clear line marking at the nearby intersection. We have reviewed this set up in consultation with the RTA and will remove the ‘keep clear’ line marking. This work will be undertaken next week. A ‘STOP HERE ON RED SIGNAL’ sign already in place will be replaced with a larger sign.

We followed up your suggestion for the location of the advance warning Variable Message Sign at the corner of Murray Farm Road and Orchard Road with the traffic management team. Numerous locations closer to the traffic lights were considered however the current location was deemed most suitable as it ensures the sign is visible, does not block access to anyone’s property, it does not obstruct other signs and other signs do not obstruct its visibility.

Other locations that we identified it can physically and safely fit would result in it either

·         Blocking access to pedestrian paths or letter boxes

·         Blocking sight distances from driveways or side street

·         Be partially obstructed by vegetation or other signs we have installed

Please note that the four electronic signs including this one are acting as advance warning signs and will stay in place for approximately another 4 weeks before being removed.

If you have any further questions please feel free to call us on 1800 196 266.

Kirkham Bridge Traffic Lights

The new traffic lights over the motorway joining Kirkham St to Murray Farm Road have sensors to detect your car.  If you are the first car to stop in front of a red light, make sure you park close enough to the light pillar for it to detect you!  We have received reports of cars waiting five minutes, banking up behind the front car that wasn't close enough!

Chilworth Reserve Footpath

So much for the new footpath being open to the public over the weekend!  This was recorded Saturday lunchtime, after Friday's rain.  It was possible to cross by Sunday afternoon, but very slippery and dangerous.  Why can't we have our wooden footbridge?