Business owners hit out at NSW Government plans for 24-hour clearway

Small business owners are convinced their businesses will go under when a 24-hour clearway is installed outside shops on Old Northern Rd, Baulkham Hills next week.

Business owners Joe Laviano, Loren Holmes, customer Anton Bognar, business owner Danielle Coronno and Mohammad Rezaee are angry being told a "peak hour" bus lane outside their shops on Old Northern Rd will be changed to a 24 hour bus lane. Picture: David Swift

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Small business owners in the heart of Baulkham Hills town centre are fearing “annihilation” after being notified a 24-hour clearway will be installed next week — wiping out parking spaces they say are fundamental to keeping business afloat.

Colonial Print and Copy owner Joe Laviano hit out at the NSW Government for reviving the controversial plans following the NSW State Election, despite “thousands of objections”.

A "peak hour" bus lane outside shops on Old Northern Rd will be changed to 24 hour bus lane. Picture: David Swift

In November Roads and Maritime Services revealed plans for a 24-hour clearway to be installed outside businesses at 5 Old Northern Rd, Baulkham Hills, to cater for increases in buses across the Baulkham Hills junction, similar to an earlier proposal which was successfully beaten in 2008.

Mr Laviano said the biggest concern for small businesses was the loss of 12 parking spaces outside their businesses next week,” he said.

“Off peak we have four buses per hour — we don’t need to expand these bus lanes at the intersection, they are already adequate.

“We could look at installing them, temporarily, at different times during peak periods, but a blanket ban on parking outside our small businesses will see us forced to close.”

Mr Laviano said thousands of Hills residents made submissions to the NSW Government, objecting to the proposal.

Business owner Mohammad Rezaee, poses for a photo at his grocery store in Baulkham Hills. Picture: David Swift

“Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott should be working with his constituents, but instead he is working against us — working with the RMS to close down small business,” he said.

A Roads and Maritime Services spokeswoman said feedback was sought on business parking arrangements in September last year.

“As a result of the feedback received, Roads and Maritime has worked with Hills Shire Council to include additional parking spots in the adjoining council carparks and a new loading zone to offset the nine parking spaces being removed from Old Northern Road,” she said.

“While there is already parking availability nearby in the carparks and side streets, Roads and Maritime has offered funding to Hills Shire Council to provide six additional parking spaces in the two council car parks next to Raemot Ln and Railway St to provide customer parking for small businesses on Old Northern Road.”

Business owner Joe Laviano is 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. Picture: David Swift

The spokeswoman told the Times that more than 32,000 vehicles travel along Old Northern Road each day, “and introducing clearways on this section of the busy road will provide smoother and more efficient journeys for motorists”.

“Old Northern Road links the busy hubs of Castle Hill and Baulkham Hills so it is essential to ensure all road users spend less time in traffic and more time doing the things they enjoy,” she said.

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