THE proposed Transdev bus depot in Vanessa Street, Kingsgrove, has been given the green light by Hurstville Council.
The matter had been deferred on July 15 pending more information as the council considered the objections of nearby residents who claimed a depot would worsen already bad traffic conditions.
Transdev has agreed to the DA condition to allow buses to travel only along Kingsgrove Road to avoid residential areas to the west of the site.
The company also said the proposal would generate less than 20 per cent of traffic than the current site zoning allowed and the depot would increase employment opportunities for local bus drivers and improve public transport in the Hurstville area.
The site at 115 Vanessa Street, Kingsgrove, zoned light industrial, is already used as a private bus and truck depot.
Merv and Betty Evers, who had fought to keep the depot out of Kingsgrove, said they were grateful buses would not be passing through the nearby residential area of Beverly Hills but were disappointed that they had not been able to protect Kingsgrove which would now bear the brunt of the increased traffic.
Another resident, Phil Kershaw, said the company had been less than honest about bus movements.
The company had said there would be 60 staggered bus movements with a peak of 14 movements between 5am and 6am but had neglected to say some of those buses would be returning after the school run, to go out again later.
Mr Kershaw estimated there would be about 200 bus movements.
Residents had wanted a long-term infrastructure solution in consultation with Roads and Maritime Services and Rockdale and Canterbury councils.
TRENSDEV SAYS
Transdev has operated in Sydney since the 1930s. It works in partnership with Transport for NSW which approved the depot.
The project is being undertaken through a mix of private sector investment and funding support from the NSW government.
The depot will allow Transdev to operate within the region it services and therefore help alleviate traffic congestion by reducing the distance required to travel to commence and terminate services.
The site has sufficient space for the safe and efficient parking and servicing of Transdev’s fleet of buses and the surrounding road network is capable of supporting the proposed bus movements.
The development will include the reuse of the existing warehouse buildings into maintenance bays including three workshop bays, a body shop, chassis bay and wash bay, office space for two permanent staff, staff facilities including meal room, change room and lockers, an undercover refuelling station with 60,000L capacity.
Proposed hours of operation will be between 5am and 11.30pm with vehicles exiting onto The Crescent and travelling east to Kingsgrove Road.
There will be no on-street parking impact.
Depot benefits to the local community include enhanced public transport, reduced congestion, employment benefits.
