Safety lobbyist works alone

He said the Australian Road Safety Foundation, of which he described himself as convener, was "just me".

"The name is not registered, there are no other members and we have no funds and no staff," he said.

"I don't have time to pursue membership; it's better for me to get results and put membership on hold."

Mr Arena, a father of six, who is semi-retired and lives at Grays Point, said road safety was his "passion", not a hobby.

He had worked for 10 years with the NSW Planning Department, studied urban and regional planning and had later operated his own photographic shop.

"I joined the Australian College of Road Safety in 2004 and left after three years because they were not getting results," he said.

Mr Arena said the NRMA had rejected four requests for support for his foundation.

A Sutherland Shire Council spokeswoman said Mr Arena asked the council to contribute $20,000 to $30,000 towards establishing the foundation, "which we understand is run solely by Mr Arena".

"Council has its own specialist traffic engineering staff and can access consultants as necessary using its procurement process," she said.

ACTION TAKEN

2005: Mr Arena called for a median barrier on Taren Point Bridge after a double fatality on the southern approach. The barrier was erected on both approaches this year, with a government promise to extend it right across.

2011: Mr Arena called for traffic light changes at the corner of Oak Road and President Avenue, Kirrawee, after two serious accidents. A council spokeswoman said it had arranged for Roads and Maritime Services to adjust the signal phasing, which was implemented in March 2012.

2011: Mr Arena said the pedestrian crossing at the corner of Banksia Road and the Kingsway, Caringbah, should be moved. A council spokeswoman said staff met with Mr Arena and police to discuss his concerns.

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