Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will soon commence the compulsory acquisition of approximately 360 square-metres of council-owned land at Blakehurst for the widening of Princes Highway.
A Georges River Council report said the RMS will take approximately 260 square metres of Todd Park fronting the highway and 100 square-metres of Church Street Reserve across the road.
The RMS requires the land Todd Park and Church Street Reserve to widen the highway as part of its Easing Sydney Congestion Program.
In addition to the proposed road widening, an easement for an existing transmission line is required by Ausgrid of approximately 150 square-metres of Todd Park.
The RMS will also undertake the compulsory acquisition on behalf of Ausgrid.
The road widening will mean the stretch of Princes Highway will have four northtbound lanes and three southbound lanes.
The land is classified as community land and under the Local Government Act the council has no power to sell or exchange the land.
And under the Road Act, the council’s authority to oppose the compulsory acquisition is extremely limited.
The proposed road widening will have an impact on established trees that are located within Todd Park.
In addition to the compensation payable for the loss of the land, the council proposes to seek additional compensation for the loss of established trees at the location.
A report to the council’s Finance and Governance Committee recommends the council accept the proposed acquisition notice subject to reserving its right to independently determine appropriate consideration to adequately compensate for the loss of public amenity.
All money received from the compulsory acquisition will be allocated to the council’s Asset Management Reserve.
“It is anticipated that the Easing Sydney’s Congestion Program will have a positive impact on general traffic conditions in the area despite the loss of council-owned open space,” the council report stated.