Brad Hazzard to RMS: learn from mistakes which killed Parramatta Rd before creating more clearways

WAKEHURST MP Brad Hazzard has warned the Roads and Maritime Services not destroy communities along Pittwater Rd with a clearway.

Members of the Collaroy community protest the propsoed clearways. Picture: Monique Tyacke

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BRAD Hazzard has warned the Roads and Maritime Services not destroy communities along Pittwater Rd with a clearway.

The Wakehurst state MPs comments follow community backlash against plans to extended clearways to Collaroy - leading him to urge the RMS to learn from mistakes which “killed Parramatta Rd”.

He also expressed concerns about a blanket approach being applied to the entire stretch of Pittwater Rd, highlighting Long Reef, Dee Why and Manly Vale.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard has warned the RMS that one size does not fit all when it comes to clearways. Picture: Keri Megelus

“The RMS came in thinking it was going to be fairly simple, but I and others have made it clear it is not,” he said. “It needs to be tailored to the needs of individual small communities they are all different, the only thing that makes them similar is they are on Pittwater Rd.”

Mr Hazzard said there was less need for clearways further north on the peninsula.

“The further you get away from the city, the less the need for any lengthy clearways,” he said. “In my view Collaroy particularly has the beach on one side and shops and mostly home units on the other side.

“That in itself says that a clearway that would run for too long of a period would have a devastating affect on those shops and the community who wants to use those shops.”

Jimmy Aschner owner Asch's IGA Xpress, resident Leah Gason, Roy Mustaca owner of Collaroy Cinema and Greg Broome President Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club oppose Pittwater Rd clearways. Picture: Adam Yip.

The RMS has planned no-parking zones in both directions on Pittwater Rd from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm on weekends and public holidays.

A number of parking conditions will also be put in place by the council, to help ease the impact on businesses.

Mr Hazzard said there was still some value in the parking bans on major roads.

“I don’t share the views of some that there is no value in some type of clearways for some restricted hours,” he said. “We are all drivers, and all shoppers and we have to somehow strike a balance.

Cindy Attanasio protests the proposed clearways.

“I have told the RMS that I understand their desire is to move traffic along as easily and quickly as possible but I have reminded them when they did that in places like Parramatta Rd it killed a whole lot of shops and communities and it has presented a massive problem for those community to be revived.”

Mr Hazzard said after speaking with shopkeepers, particularly in Dee Why and Collaroy it was evident the B-Line bus lanes had already caused significant delays, and urged the RMS to move as quickly as possible.

Owner of Stay Grounded cafe, Ryan O’Neill at the rally at Collaroy Beach. Picture: Monique Tyacke

“All the shopkeepers and local communities should be able to go off for Christmas knowing the right balance has been struck,” he said.

An RMS spokeswoman said it would “not make any final decisions about the Collaroy clearways or the corridor until it evaluates and takes into account community feedback”.

“This proposal remains very much in the consultation phase, where all community concerns and feedback will help determine the final outcome,” she said.

“Since clearways were introduced on Victoria Road between The Crescent and Iron Cove Bridge, casualty crashes reduced by around 40 per cent and rear end crashes by 83 per cent.”