Calls for Hills and Hornsby councils to restrict on-street parking
Dozens of local roads would become no-go zones for Sydney Metro northwest commuters searching for on-street parking following recommendations from the NSW Government.
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Demands for more parking at Sydney Metro northwest stations across The Hills and Hornsby have fallen on deaf ears, after the NSW Government recommended a series of restrictions for current on-street parking locations.
Last year, the Times revealed just 4000 carapaces would be provided for Sydney Metro commuters across the entire northwest network, with councils calling for more parking to meet demands.
However, on December 10, the Sydney Metro handed down a report for The Hills Shire and Hornsby councils, calling for tighter on-street parking restrictions to be enforced across 63 local roads, which currently provide unrestricted parking.
Under the recommendations, no other parking initiatives — including residential parking schemes or paid parking — were recommended by Sydney Metro.
“Once parking changes have been approved by the local traffic committee and council, installation of relevant signage and line marking can commence,” the report said.
“As part of the planning conditions of approval, Sydney Metro is required to undertake traffic and parking monitoring both 12 months prior to and 12 months following the opening of Sydney Metro Northwest.”
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said she would like to see ease of access to the new station sites, especially as the population in Sydney’s North West continues to grow.
“We need to strike a balance between getting people on the metro, and ensuring commuter parking does not impact the daily lives of residents living nearby,” Cr Byrne told the Times.
“The Hills Shire Council supports a road and parking strategy which carefully takes into account immediate residents, commuters, emergency vehicle access and the official running of our road network and the Sydney Metro Northwest report does take into account these objectives.”
Cr Byrne said ‘time will tell’ if the correct approach to commuter parking has been taken.
“It will now be a case of adjusting as people become accustomed to this brand new transport option,” she said.
“It should also be noted that the success of the Sydney Metro Northwest will not only be based on the number of parking spaces made available, but also ease of access to the stations, including kiss-and-drop zones and other public transport options like buses that stop near the new stations.
“That’s why this council has focused its attention to building essential infrastructure that will improve connectivity to the new stations, including building more pedestrian and cycling paths, constructing more bridges and opening up divided regions.
“We want our residents to take full potential of this world class transport system, which will see trains arriving at station sites every four minutes during peak times.”
STATION BREAKDOWN OF THE NSW GOVERNMENT’S REQUESTS
CHERRYBROOK STATION
The report called for Hornsby Council to enforce parking restrictions at nine locations across Cherrybrook including Robert, Dalkeith, Ashford and Franklin roads, as well as Ghisla, Ridgemont and Claridge Closes due to the “proximity to the station, preservation of local amenity and safety”.
Sydney Metro said Cherrybrook Station would service residents of Cherrybrook and West Pennant Hills, in the parking management review.
“One of its many benefits will be to reduce the parking demand at Beecroft, Cheltenham,
Pennant Hills and Thornleigh railway stations, saving travel time for Hills residents who are
currently using these stations,” the report said.
Cherrybrook station will house just 400 commuter parking spaces in a five-storey car park neighbouring the station.
CASTLE HILL STATION
Despite the fact that no commuter parking spaces will be provided at Castle Hill Station, representatives of Sydney Metro have recommended the removal of hundreds of metres of on-street parking in the CBD.
Roads including Garthowen Cres, Old Castle Hill Rd, Brisbane Rd, Mercer St, Orange Gr and Castle St would see restrictions imposed due to the proximity to the station, safety and bus access routes.
A total of just 7 kiss and ride spaces will be available at the Metro station when it opens in May.
SHOWGROUND STATION
Carrington Rd and Middleton Ave would see the largest change when it comes to on-street parking restrictions under the government’s plan.
No stopping and restricted parking zones would be installed along 140m of Carrington and 175m of Middleton Ave.
Ashford and Partridge avenues would also see a combination of restricted parking and no parking zones due to the proximity to the station site, safety and “significant demand driven by land use”.
“Hills Showground commuter car park will be a three-level multistorey car park within the
station precinct,” the report said.
“The car park design has been modified to create a more efficient layout, and facilitate integrated development. This is reflective of the intention to create a town centre environment around the station and key interchange facilities.
“Drivers wishing to access Hills Showground commuter car park can do so from De Clambe
Drive, commuter car park customers need to cross Doran Drive and Mandala Parade in
order to travel between the station entrance and the car park.”
NORWEST STATION
The NSW Government recommended a total of 10 roads in Norwest Business Park should have parking restrictions enforced, due to “vehicle access, impact on residents, safety and proximity to Norwest station”.
Just nine kiss and ride spaces will be provided at the station, with no plans for any commuter parking to be provided.
The lack of parking will also creep into local roads including Ridgehave Pl, Brookhollow and Fairmont avenues, Lakeview Cl, Solent Circuit, Inglewood Pl, Goldfinch Cres, Barina Downs Rd and Evesham Court.
BELLA VISTA STATION
A total of 800 commuter parking spaces will be provided as part of the Bella Vista Station precinct, located in the northern end of Norwest Business Park — off Old Windsor Rd.
However, hundreds of metres across 11 local roads would be made a no-go zone for commuters searching for on-street parking.
Roads including Brighton Dr, Millhouse Pl, Bridgeview Circuit, Bimbadgen Pl, Edgewater Dr, Craigend Pl, Shaun St, Vanessa Court, Malley Grove, Darren Court and Tann-Barby Court would see restriction enforced due to the proximity to the station, concerns over cars stopping at intersections and the need to preserve local amenity.
KELLYVILLE STATION
When it comes to commuter parking, Kellyville will be the crowning jewel of the Sydney Metro northwest.
More than 1300 parking spaces will be provided for commuters at Kellyville station across two different facilities — supporting residents from Beaumont Hills, Kellyville and Stanhope Gardens.
“The first will be a multistorey car park to the south of the station with a capacity of 995 spaces,” according to the Sydney Metro. “The second will be an at-grade facility to the north of the station with a capacity of 365 spaces.”
However a total of 11 local roads would be hit with parking restrictions under the NSW Government plan.
Roads including Samantha Riley Dr, Macquarie Ave, Gainsford Dr, Bridget Pl, Landy Place, Fraser Ave, Cuthbert Ave, Newbury Ave, Roxburgh Cres, Somerset St, Esher St and Midlands Tce would see the introduction of no stopping or restricted parking zones.
ROUSE HILL STATION
No commuter parking will be provided at Rouse Hill station, however a total of 25 kiss and ride facilities would be located at the site.
The NSW Government recommended a total of eight roads including Peppin St, Bascule St, Grazier Rd, Bellacast Rd, Romney St, Narawang St, Galara St and Grandiflora St would see parking restrictions of no parking zones implemented by The Hills Shire Council.
TALLAWONG STATION
The very first station in the network, Tallawong of Schofields Rd in Rouse Hill will include 1000 commuter parking spaces and 16 kiss and ride facilities.
The parking facilities will be developed across three sites in the Tallawong Station precinct, according to the government.
“The first will be to the south of the station — Tallawong South — with a capacity of 153 spaces, the second will be to the west of the station — Tallawong West — with a capacity of 402 spaces,” the report said.
“The third will be to the southwest of the station — Tallawong South West — with a capacity of 445 spaces.
Just two local roads would see parking restrictions including no stopping and restricted parking zones enforced at the station site, at Ridgeline Dr and Amarco Circuit.
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