More than 50 Norwood traders and landlords lodge court action over ban on right-hand turns from Parade
A plan to ban right-hand turns off The Parade during peak-hour will be further delayed, with scores of businesses and landlords lodging a legal challenge this week.
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More than 50 traders and landlords on The Parade will seek a judicial review in the Supreme Court of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council’s decision to ban right-hand turns off the Parade during peak times.
Lawyer Tom Game, representing a bloc of businesses including Australasian Property Developments – overseeing the $110 million Norwood Mall upgrade – and LJ Hooker principal Rino Pancione, told The Messenger they had serious concerns with the council’s decision last year.
The council approved a scramble crossing at the corner of The Parade and George St under a $115,000 package of works.
It also includes the banning of right-hand turns from The Parade into George St between 7.30am and 9am for westbound traffic, and 4pm and 6pm for eastbound traffic.
Mr Game said legal proceedings had been lodged on Thursday amid concerns the ban would affect traffic flow.
“We … fundamentally think the council has made a bad decision,” Mr Game said.
“We are concerned that blocking right-turn movements at the intersection will have flow-on safety, congestion and access impacts as traffic is diverted elsewhere within the local road network.”
However, he said the traders had no issue with the scramble crossing proposal.
In a letter to the council’s chief executive, Mario Barone, earlier this month, Mr Game said the council failed to appropriately consult with the community about the proposed changes and provide accurate information to elected members.
Mr Game told The Messenger that traders were financially prepared to contribute to the council removing a section of the median strip and installing right-hand slip lanes, which could cost up to $300,000.
However, a bemused NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria said both the council and the transport department found a compromise a right-hand turn ban last year.
He said elected members were given “more than enough” information to make an informed decision.
“We went into this with our eyes wide open,” Mr Bria said.
“We made an informed and considered decision based on the options available.”
He said scramble crossing works were intended to begin on June 30 or “soon thereafter”.
“We’ll just have to see what plays out with a possible legal challenge,” he said.