Truck zone lifted after fight to restore Bulwara Rd comes to an end

Residents of Ultimo’s Bulwara Rd are celebrating the lifting of a disruptive work zone after their street was “hijacked” for 18 months.

Bulwara Road Ultimo and the barricades leading to the development. Picture: John Appleyard

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Residents of Ultimo’s Bulwara Rd are celebrating the lifting of a disruptive work zone after their street was “hijacked” for 18 months.

The once tranquil leafy road and key pedestrian link was invaded by heavy vehicle traffic.

Yimmy Seifert, Patricia Johnson, Jean-Pierre Alexandre and Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney Linda Scott, outside the development on Bulwara Road Ultimo. at Bulwara Road. Picture: John Appleyard

City of Sydney Deputy Mayor Linda Scott led the campaign to put an end to the work zone created by developer TWT Property Group for their New Life Building which “virtually closed the street to public access”.

Residents of Bulwara Road are victorious after they won a dispute with a developer about safety concerns and inadequate signage. Picture: John Appleyard

The 200-unit residential and mixed use commercial building is due to be completed this year.

The main concerns raised by residents centred on the “hijacking” of the public street and key pedestrian link for private construction uses.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney Linda Scott with Ultimo residents at Bulwara Road. Residents of Bulwara Road are victorious after a work zone comes to an end. Picture: John Appleyard

Cr Scott started a petition to voice the concerns and revoke the work zone and after a strong campaign residents were told it would be revoked.

However in March last year City of Sydney Council announced that an altered version of the work zone would proceed.

Signs along Bulwara Street Ultimo in protest to the development work site in the street. Picture: John Appleyard

Cr Scott moved a motion in April which called on the Minister for Roads to ensure pedestrian safety was taken into account. However the motion was opposed.

“As a Labor councillor, I have fought side-by-side with the Ultimo community to stand up for the public good and to oppose the hugely disruptive traffic conditions that have been imposed on Bulwara Rd by the City of Sydney Council,” she said.

Signs along Bulkwara Street Ultimo in protest to the development work site in the street. Picture: John Appleyard

“I welcome the works zone being lifted, as this will allow Ultimo to again thrive as part of a neighbourhood with a strong pedestrian culture in the inner city.

“I’m committed to fighting to ensure what has happened in Ultimo, where a public street was effectively closed for private interests for 18 months, is not repeated in the City of Sydney,” she said.

Cr Scott said work zones needed to be tailored to meet the needs of the community and developers.

A spokesperson for TWT Global said five community liason meetings have been held since construction started.

“During these meetings construction matters and resident concerns were discussed and mitigations implemented,” the spokesperson said.

“These include supplying additional traffic controllers and keeping the community informed with regular fact sheets and postal updates.

“In addition, restrictions on the work zone to minimise impact to the community resulted in significant additional costs and several months additional programming.”

The spokesperson said Urbis Engagement has been delivering best practice consultation for this project on behalf of TWT and Parkview.