Rozelle Interchange/Iron Cove Link cycle plan - feedback closes 6 Sept

[Timmeh]

On Monday 10 August WestConnex released the draft Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) for public exhibition and submission. The UDLP outlines the urban design and landscaping objectives for the Rozelle Interchange project, as well as the proposed concept design of around 9.5 hectares of open space that will be delivered. You can review the draft UDLP via the Virtual Information Centre (https://v2.communityanalytics.com.au/tf ... lp/virtual)

or jump to the relevant chapter:
https://ca-v2.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazona ... rategy.pdf

It covers Rozelle interchange, Iron Cove Link, Lilyfield Rd, and surrounds.

Key problem I see is that three separated cycleways approved in the EIS have been replaced with shared paths, including on Victoria Rd. (see tables on pages 11-6 and 11-7). This will set a precedent for the rest of Victoria Rd through Rozelle, meaning a separated cycleway along this important route (ala Epping Rd) isn't going to happen once WestConnex is finished. If you think this sucks, go to the Virtual Information Centre https://v2.communityanalytics.com.au/tf ... lp/virtual and click on the Have Your Say link at bottom right.

[g-boaf]

On Monday 10 August WestConnex released the draft Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) for public exhibition and submission. The UDLP outlines the urban design and landscaping objectives for the Rozelle Interchange project, as well as the proposed concept design of around 9.5 hectares of open space that will be delivered. You can review the draft UDLP via the Virtual Information Centre (https://v2.communityanalytics.com.au/tf ... lp/virtual)

or jump to the relevant chapter:
https://ca-v2.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazona ... rategy.pdf

It covers Rozelle interchange, Iron Cove Link, Lilyfield Rd, and surrounds.

Key problem I see is that three separated cycleways approved in the EIS have been replaced with shared paths, including on Victoria Rd. (see tables on pages 11-6 and 11-7). This will set a precedent for the rest of Victoria Rd through Rozelle, meaning a separated cycleway along this important route (ala Epping Rd) isn't going to happen once WestConnex is finished. If you think this sucks, go to the Virtual Information Centre https://v2.communityanalytics.com.au/tf ... lp/virtual and click on the Have Your Say link at bottom right.

Submitted.

[roberto73]

Good point. The first section from Iron Cove Bridge to Springside St also has no priority at sides streets, like Callan and Toelle Sts. Calling for tighter intersections and priority for cyclists.

The section Springside to Robert isnt even in the plan, despite it being a condition of consent (E58). It is “being left to others”. i understand TfNSW is doing a study on this section, so maybe John Holland is hoping this absolves them from doing anything. Anyway, should ask for a proper separated cycleway.

The section Robert St to start of the ramp to Anzac Bridge is only slated to be 4 m shared path, we are calling for an extra metre and separation. Might involve a bit of engineering to cantilever out into the old power station land.

Big losers are riders coming out of Robert heading to Glebe. They will have to descend to the railyard level, go under Vic Rd, then back up to corner of Vic Rd, do a two stage crossing, then past the James Craig “pole corner” to The Crescent. Calling for a direct route across from Robert St in front of the power station.

Also calling for bike lane southbound at start of Johnston St at The Crescent, so you can at least get up the first bit about 100 m or so, past the new set of lights proposed there. And a shared path on other side up to the new lights.

Finally, for Lilyfield Rd users, a safe entry point to the park cycleway to Anzac Bridge. Their proposed location near Ryan St is just after a crest and bend. Commuters might prefer to keep on Lilyfield Rd and join the path somewhere safer past Denison St. What do you think?

[roberto73]

Re James Craig Rd, please ask for the poles at CWL corner to be removed, otherwise this will be another “legacy” issue that will not get fixed for 20 years, if ever, like Gladesville Bridge, etc.

[Timmeh]

What do you think?

All good points Bob! It's so hard to get infrastructure included in these big projects, and even when you do, you find out in the next stage that it's been removed All you can do is keep submitting. More voices = more chance of getting decent infrastructure.

[roberto73]

Latest works notice from Westconnex. https://www.westconnex.com.au/media/nvr ... -annan.pdf
On page 3 they say the path from Railway Pde to The Crescent will be closed. You will be able to use the new ramp from the light rail station, by going up Bayview St, crossing the railway at the station, then down to The Crescent and along to Johnston St, cross tgere and backtrack along The Crescent (new path) to James Craig, or go to City via Glebe.

The utility works on corner of Johnston under the bridge are supposed to be finished next week so at last there may be space allocated to cyclists using Johnston St. There is space going south behind a line of red water filled barriers, which could be useful for cyclists heading south onroad on Johnston, or kids and families with bikes to get onto the footpath on east side of Johnston near the TAFE property.

Council could assist by declaring the east side of Johnston a shared path, or even better, removing the angle parking and putting in popup bike lanes. Cant see the need for all that angle parking in Johnston north of about Rose St.

[roberto73]

Well, mightily annoyed by the Police apparently fining cyclists riding down the temporary ramp from Rozelle LR Station to The Crescent. The ramp was built because they closed the shared path in Buruwan Park (now part of the roadworks), so youd expect the alternative to offer the same level of access. John Holland are saying the ramp”is too narrow”, but its about 2 m, and why didnt they build it wider?

[WisdomUfot]

Thanks for sharing this information about the Rozelle Interchange/Iron Cove Link cycle plan. It's frustrating to hear about cyclists being fined for using the temporary ramp, especially when the shared path in Buruwan Park is closed. It's reasonable to expect that the alternative would provide similar access. I'm a bit late to the party, but I'm curious if there have been any updates on this story?

[LateStarter]

When they took away the bridge(s) over Victoria Rd I gave up cycling through that area so have lost track of what's happening there. SMH says the car bridge from The Crescent over CWL will open next week (Tu 7/11 ?) and the rest of the "Rozelle Interchange" in December (23), $4 Billion later. No word if this means the adjacent pedestrian/cycle "Green Link" bridge will open next week too, probably not, don't know the status of the "Rozelle Parklands" and any ANZAC to Lilyfield Rd link under Victoria Rd, website just says Parklands open "late 2023".

All the "expect congestion issues" for 6 months after opening talk doesn't encourage expectations of any quick temporary cycleways on Victoria Rd to mop up excess road capacity. Notwithstanding our current socialist NSW government I am not expecting much improvement, they seem to pander to the voting motorists just as much as the conservatives, hope I am wrong. The $100 million "cleanup" of White Bay power station seems to have been finished too, I might take a walk down that way to check out "progress", anyone know what's happening? Good news re Parramatta Alfred St bridge opening, some good news at least there, might have to check that out too.

[find_bruce]

I love your optimism. No news on the Transport for NSW site. I went past the Rozelle side this afternoon - yes both bridges are built, but no indication of when they will be open - will see what if anything is happening on the parklands side.

[LateStarter]

SMH says the Interchange will open to motor vehicles weekend on 25-26 Nov (or next one if last minute delays) but none of the stories mention the Rozelle Parklands opening, different Transport for NSW site pages mention different possible dates, "late 2023", "before Christmas", "first quarter 2024" !

As I said up thread I have avoided the whole area since construction started, used to be through there a lot on the way to Parramatta, Windsor or further up mountains. Somewhat (very) disappointed to see very little new connections further west of Lilyfield Rd, nothing seems to have happened in the last 4 years other than Parramatta River CW, why am I not surprised

[g-boaf]

I love your optimism. No news on the Transport for NSW site. I went past the Rozelle side this afternoon - yes both bridges are built, but no indication of when they will be open - will see what if anything is happening on the parklands side.

That will be beautiful with tables and seating for pedestrians to have picnics, scatter about some cycling banned signs and the whole thing will be perfect.

Or am I being too cynical?

[find_bruce]

Or am I being too cynical?

Didn't think that was possible with Sydney cycling infrastructure

[LateStarter]

That will be beautiful with tables and seating for pedestrians to have picnics, scatter about some cycling banned signs and the whole thing will be perfect.

Or am I being too cynical?

Since construction started it has been a real pain to get from the city side of ANZAC bridge over to Lilyfield Rd and further west, my interest in the "ParkLands" is that this includes an underpass under Victoria Rd and fairly wide "shared" paths through the old railway lands popping up on Lilyfield Rd not far before Catherine St. So if I hold my nose and ignore the poor infrastructure through the CBD and beyond Lilyfield Rd (no infrastructure despite $1m spent on "consultations" but quite rideable) at least the Parklands bit might be usable (when it opens!) Of course I could use the excellent, high quality state designated shared path along Victoria Rd from White Bay Power Station to Gladsville bridge getting lots of rest time at the numerous pedestrian lights (cyclist rest stations) but something just puts me off using this, maybe I am just a grump!

[find_bruce]

Of course I could use the excellent, high quality state designated shared path along Victoria Rd from White Bay Power Station to Gladsville bridge getting lots of rest time at the numerous pedestrian lights (cyclist rest stations) but something just puts me off using this, maybe I am just a grump!

Yes it's dangerous at Kennards, the 2 petrol stations, requires you to wait 2 minutes at every set of lights & has 3 flights of stairs under the Gladesville Bridge, but apart from that, what's wrong with it?

[AndrewCowley]

Gladesville bridge, for such a visually iconic bridge, would have to be the worst bridge for both pedestrians and cyclists. Hard to imagine how it got approved. The road corridor through Burns Bay Road through to the Gladesville bridge was meant to become a motorway. Considering the design dates back to the 70's, I guess a 'motorway rules all' attitude was prevalent.

[LateStarter]

I see the much appreciated Victoria Rd "cycle path" has returned to its primary use as a place to dump illuminated warning signs for the motorists parked on Victoria Rd, can't really complain as these only take 50% of the path width. Motorists have had the benefit of the $4 billion spent on them for a week now but no sign of the Rozelle Parklands opening with its "new" cycleways, various NSW transport web pages with different opening estimates, "in the weeks after the interchange opens", "before christmas" (implies 2023 but does not really say which), "this summer" (2023/4?) , "1st quarter of 2024", .....

[find_bruce]

I see the much appreciated Victoria Rd "cycle path" has returned to its primary use as a place to dump illuminated warning signs for the motorists parked on Victoria Rd, can't really complain as these only take 50% of the path width. Motorists have had the benefit of the $4 billion spent on them for a week now but no sign of the Rozelle Parklands opening with its "new" cycleways, various NSW transport web pages with different opening estimates, "in the weeks after the interchange opens", "before christmas" (implies 2023 but does not really say which), "this summer" (2023/4?) , "1st quarter of 2024", .....

To be fair it's not just trailers with signs, the shared path is also blocked by poles supporting signs, lights & other paraphernalia.

Of late it has also been the preferred parking place for motorcycle cops looking at the cars travel slowly in the bus lane. This was going to be stopped last Friday, but I haven't seen any results

[LateStarter]

Being a bicycle rider in Sydney/NSW leads to a large dose of scepticism but Transport for NSW says

"Rozelle Parklands Opening Date Locked In" (Sunday 17/12/2023)

https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news-a ... ate-locked

I of course won't believe it until I have ridden all the paths myself, 00:01 Sunday morning might be a bit optimistic though, perhaps later in the day, maybe a huge "jam" of bicycles?

Of course it's not finished but as long as I can get from Anzac Bridge to Lilyfield Rd I will be initally happy

"..New cycleway connections will also be constructed in Rozelle to link with existing active transport paths in Drummoyne, Haberfield and Five Dock..."

[LateStarter]

OpenStreetMap has been nicely updated with the Rozelle Parklands supposedly open tomorrow (Sunday), planning (hoping) to take a look and if any energy remains might press on up the Parramatta Valley and all the cycleway delights appearing there.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/- ... /151.17457

[find_bruce]

OpenStreetMap has been nicely updated with the Rozelle Parklands supposedly open tomorrow (Sunday), planning (hoping) to take a look and if any energy remains might press on up the Parramatta Valley and all the cycleway delights appearing there.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/- ... /151.17457

Rode home that way tonight - nearly 1.5km of flat, smooth off-road separated path, very pleasurable. I think it goes a bit further than shown on openstreet maps, but will check

[LateStarter]

Yes looking good, transition from Lilyfield Rd is a lovely yellow plastic ramp which won't last long but in years to come I am sure they might finish it, only been 4 years since they started.

Someone posted their video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJxnvZNSSb0 first 2m30s is the new bit

Links to the Crescent "Green Link" Bridge and Whites Creek Overpass not included

[familyguy]

Just how much of this is now closed after asbestos was discovered in mulch in the playground is unclear. Surely not the 'entire Rozelle parklands' as the headline suggests. But since when are headlines accurate any more. Paywalled, can't get to it here, so can't read it and can't locate alternative information just now.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/roz ... 5ew8w.html

[Retrobyte]

Just how much of this is now closed after asbestos was discovered in mulch in the playground is unclear. Surely not the 'entire Rozelle parklands' as the headline suggests. But since when are headlines accurate any more. Paywalled, can't get to it here, so can't read it and can't locate alternative information just now.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/roz ... 5ew8w.html

Rozelle Parklands, the new green space that sits on top of the Rozelle Interchange, has been shut just three weeks after it opened following the discovery of asbestos in mulch near the children’s playground.

Transport for NSW, which operates the park, found out about the reported contamination only after a parent discovered material that looked like asbestos in some mulch their child brought home from the park.

The extent of the contamination is unknown, and asbestos experts were at the site on Wednesday morning taking samples.

“Initial advice from an occupational hygienist who tested samples taken at the site yesterday found bonded asbestos in two samples,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

Early tests, taken on Tuesday, did not find any airborne particles “outside of normal expected parameters”, they said, suggesting it was low-risk.

The mulch will be removed and replaced.


Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the council was notified of the discovery early on Wednesday, and had written to the government demanding complete testing of the entire park.

“As a parent whose children have been playing there myself, I understand how concerning this will be for many thousands of local people,” he said.

“There needs to be a thorough investigation, and if it is found that the contractors or suppliers have done the wrong thing and brought asbestos contamination into a children’s playground, then the government should throw the book at them.”

After much anticipation, the parklands were opened on December 17 last year. The nearly 10-hectare site contains 3000 trees, bike paths, two sports fields, wetlands, barbecue facilities and exercise equipment.


The masterplan for the site was announced in late 2022, with the Coalition government promising the park would “heal a scar that has separated Sydney’s CBD from the inner west”.

Previously part of the city’s freight rail network, the park runs along the City West Link, and sits on top of the M4-M8 Link between St Peters and Haberfield, the City West Link, the Anzac Bridge, Iron Cove and the planned Western Harbour Tunnel, due by 2028.

[g-boaf]

Just how much of this is now closed after asbestos was discovered in mulch in the playground is unclear. Surely not the 'entire Rozelle parklands' as the headline suggests. But since when are headlines accurate any more. Paywalled, can't get to it here, so can't read it and can't locate alternative information just now.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/roz ... 5ew8w.html

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