Sutherland Shire Council has put forward another option for providing an extra 200 new commuter car parking spaces near Jannali station, which would cost less and be quicker to deliver.
The council maintains this option - involving more at-grade (ground level) spaces, mainly in the rail corridor - would meet the government's election commitment to deliver extra parking by the first half of 2023.
At the same time, the government would in the longer term be able to add further spaces by joining in an integrated development with Woolworths of the council-owned car park behind the shopping centre.
The council disclosed the at-grade option in a response to Transport for NSW's ultimatum on Wednesday to agree to hand over the shopping centre car park within seven days as an alternative to the acquisition of nine homes on the western side of the station.
Transport for NSW rejected two sites the council put forward for multi-level car parks, but mayor Steve Simpson said the at-grade parking option had not been addressed.
The proposed locations for extra ground level parking are:
- Oxley Avenue: Extension of the existing parking area to provide 121 additional at grade spaces on the rail corridor, plus 15 extra on street spaces.
- Jannali Avenue: An extra 64 at grade spaces on the rail corridor.
The suggested benefits in each case are that it consolidates commuter car parking within land controlled by TfNSW and council, enables secure boom gate access control, is low cost, enables accelerated delivery timeframe and preserves future rail amplification options.
Cr Simpson said the council had worked swiftly over the past week to put forward a number of alternative sites, none of which would result in local residents losing their homes.
"Council, in its discussions has always maintained that the existing council car park at Box Lane next to Jannali Station is an acceptable location to deliver a vibrant, integrated town centre solution, that would offer both TfNSW 200 commuter car parking spaces as well as retail car parking for the benefit of the broader Jannali community and local businesses," he said.
"Such outcomes require consultation and careful consideration.
It's unfortunate that the state government's arbitrary timeframe of delivery by the first half 2023 could not be extended to allow for this win:win outcome.
"We understand that the state government is keen to see infrastructure delivered quickly and to stimulate the economy.
To this end Council has put forward an alternative, lower cost option, that benefits the state's taxpayers by providing 200 ground level commuter carparking spaces at Oxley Avenue and Jannali Avenue and on TfNSW and council land.
"These are all permanent solutions and all within close proximity to the Jannali station, meeting the TfNSW criteria.
"Council encourages TfNSW to consider their other landholdings along the T4 line to deliver commuter car parking within Sutherland Shire that doesn't require the displacement of residents from their homes.
"Council and the Jannali community would be keen to learn more about TfNSW's future rail augmentation as part of its More Trains More Services Program, including timing and scope.
"Our council remains committed to supporting the delivery of a commuter carpark but not at the expense of local residents and their right to live in their own homes.
"Council is offering its professional expertise necessary to support TfNSW in exploring the options that still exist which would provide a better return for NSW taxpayers and for our community.
"Our council and our community are united on this issue.
"The state government must immediately halt its six month compulsory acquisition deadline. We will not support any proposal that denies any local resident the right to live peacefully in their own home, without facing the threat of unnecessary and unfair compulsory acquisition."
RELATED:
WANT MORE LOCAL NEWS?
SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.theleader.com.au/
- Follow us on Twitter: @theleadernews