Baulkham Hills business owners battle state government over bus lane bid for Old Northern Road

DESPERATE shop owners on a busy Sydney street are determined not to go down without a fight after the NSW Government revealed plans to remove customer parking for a 24-hour bus lane outside their stores.

Business owners (left) Joe Laviano (Colonial Print and Copy), Loren Holmes (Speech Buzz), Anton Bognar (customer), Danielle Coronno (ITP Tax Professionals) and Mohammad Rezaee pose for a photo at their strip mall in Baulkham Hills today, November 1, 2018. The business owners are angry after being told a "peak hour" bus lane outside their shops on Old Northern Rd will be changed to a 24 hour bus lane, and they will lose parking for their customers. (AAP Image/David Swift)

DESPERATE shop owners are determined not to go down without a fight after the NSW Government revealed plans to remove customer parking for a 24-hour bus lane outside their stores.

Business owners at 5 Old Northern Rd, Baulkham Hills — including Joe Laviano — are battling to prevent the bus lane from being installed on the busy stretch of road.

Mr Laviano said he and his neighbours had fought the installation of a bus lane more than a decade ago, however, the issue had reared its ugly head once again, already claiming businesses along the way.

The business owners are angry after being told a "peak hour" bus lane outside their shops on Old Northern Rd will be changed to 24 hour bus lane, and they will lose parking for their customers. Picture: AAP Image/David Swift

“In 2007 the RMS took 15 to 20 car spots from the corner of Windsor and Old Northern roads to make a left hand bus turning lane,” Mr Laviano said.

“Now they are willing to kill 12 local businesses to rid buses a delay that usually lasts just a few seconds.

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Business owner Joe Laviano (Colonial Print and Copy), poses for a photo at his Printing store in Baulkham Hills today, November 1, 2018. Local business owners including Joe are angry after being told a "peak hour" bus lane outside their shops on Old Northern Rd will be changed to a 24 hour bus lane, and they will lose parking for their customers. (AAP Image/David Swift)

Mr Laviano said the businesses “took a blow” following the initial decision from the RMS, “however, this latest proposal would sink all of us”.

“I will fight till the end and if I go down, everyone will know that I went down fight,” he said.

Business owners approached Hills Shire councillors and Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott to help fight the issue, however, Mr Laviano said Labor councillor Ryan Tracey was the only representative to respond to their desperate plea.

A protest sign hangs in a window of a store on Old Northern Road in Baulkham.Hills today, November 1, 2018. (AAP Image/David Swift)

“The Baulkham Hills town centre is already struggling and with a further reduction in parking for potential customers we will see the ultimate demise of the business precinct,” Cr Tracey said.

Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott said he was representing business owners with the Roads Minister and the Hills Shire Council after two seperate meetings last month.

“I have represented concerns relating to the proposed clearways to the Roads Minister Melinda Pavey and the Clearways Project Team,” he said.

“A meeting with the Clearways Project Team has been scheduled regarding the proposed business parking arrangements and Mr Laviano has been invited to attend the meeting.

“I have been working closely with business owners, including Mr Laviano, to explore alternative options to the proposed business parking arrangements initially proposed by the former Labor Government and to ensure an optimal outcome is reached for all concerned.”

Mr Elliott said he rallied and secured new parking at the Torrs Rd Carpark to alleviate parking problems in the CBD.