The Parkway is a concept plan for a green off-road
pedestrian-cycle route through Chippendale. It is a series of “green” people connectors through local neighbourhoods –
with the primary north – south axis taking you from the City & East Darling Harbour to Alexandria,
Newtown and the Australian Technology Park through Chippendale and the major east-west axis
taking you from Glebe to the University of NSW.
This is
achieved through the creation of green space and public domain opportunities –
either through footpath extensions or dedicated off-road opportunities, reducing
through traffic and prioritising pedestrian and cycle movement, where possible.
We’re really
excited about the proposal, which we see as a fresh rethink in terms of an
alternate transport mode.
Initially
conceived by a group of local residents and business owners, these plans were
further developed to respond to the proposed urbanisation of our village and
Redfern Waterloo as well as address existing challenges, such as the lack of
open space and traffic gridlock which rings our small
suburb.
We see the
plans as perfect timing to address continuing frustrations in terms of Sydney’s reliance on car
use and also the release of the City’s draft cycle strategy with plans by the
City also underway for a pedestrian strategy.
Importantly,
the Parkway builds on the proposed City’s 10 year cycle strategy which was
approved for public exhibition last week with the City also undertaking to
review the Parkway proposal as part of the City’s strategy.
Initial
feedback has been very positive; however we’d like to get your feedback before
finetuning the proposal and following it up with other stakeholders.
The Parkway
also takes into account the recently released Metro Strategy where land
corridors south and west of Chippendale (along Parramatta
Road) face intense high rise
urbanisation, however are reliant on existing transport routes.
As part of
the plan, the new Redfern Town Centre (station) would become the City’s
pedestrian-cyclist hub reducing heavy bus movement along George Street and
Eddie
Avenue freeing up road use
for future light rail use.
Recent
feedback has also raised the possibility whether community gardens or avenues of
fruit-bearing trees could be incorporated into the proposal.
Importantly,
the Parkway fast-tracks the City’s strategy which aims to increase cycle usage
five fold within the next ten years. Here we believe more significant pedestrian
and cycle movement can be supported to meet the large population growth in this
area.
The Parkway
also addresses the City’s draft cycle master-plan. Whilst the City’s plan
includes 20 key routes through the local government area, it does not include
any short to medium term cycle paths through Chippendale nor adjacent localities
south or west of Chippendale but rather relies on cycle routes through Surry
Hills and Redfern. This necessitates the need for locals to navigate dangerous
road arterials that quarantine our suburb.
This
oversight however is the perfect opportunity to put in place the missing link as
well as taking Council’s strategy a big step further by putting in place some
key initiatives for a pedestrian strategy through this area.
The Parkway
also provides what we believe is a more viable solution for an east-west route
through Chippendale, by using the Meagher/Myrtle
Street alignment resulting
in a shorter cross-section over State owned lands. This addresses heritage
concerns arising from Council’s longer term proposed route through the CUB
site to Prince Alfred Park, via the access route near Mortuary
station.
A key benefit
for locals is that the Parkway focuses on addressing existing environmental and
social challenges as well as focusing on existing communities, the majority of
which live in low rise communities and face substantial challenges as their
suburbs face such intense urbanisation.
We would appreciate if we could get your feedback by Monday
14 August – via the Coalition of Chippendale Groups email address communityworkingparty@yahoo.com.au
– let us know what you like, if you have any concerns are or suggestions. We also welcome input from anyone who would
like to be member of the working group developing these plans.