Hundreds attend rally to stop clearway extension at Collaroy Beach
HUNDREDS of people attended a protest rally at Collaroy in a bid to stop a State Government proposal to install clearways along the main road.
Manly
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- Residents, businesses rally against proposed clearways for Collaroy
- Clearways and parking changes proposed for Collaroy Beach
- T3 lanes leading to and from Spit Bridge to become bus lanes
HUNDREDS of people attended a protest rally at Collaroy in a bid to stop a State Government proposal to install clearways along the main road.
The picket-sign wielding residents, business owners, and members of community groups were joined by politicians to make a strong statement against clearways on Pittwater Rd.
The RMS has proposed the installation of no parking zones in both directions from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 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.
Asch’s IGA owner Jimmy Aschner - who was one of the organisers of the rally to coincide with Roads and Maritime information session near the Collaroy Beach playground — said about 500 people turned up.
“It was an excellent turnout from the community,” he said, “our message was very well received”.
An RMS spokesman previously told the Manly Daily: “Pittwater Rd is the main corridor connecting the northern beaches to the Sydney CBD, carrying more than 60,000 vehicles each day, with road users including bus customers, experiencing delays and congestion in both directions.”
He said proposed clearways would help ease congestion, improve journey reliability and improve safety for road users.
“A single parked car can significantly reduce road capacity and cause major delays on busy road corridors so it is important to ensure all lanes are available to improve journey reliability,” he said.
Mr Aschner said locals would like to see their statistics.
“We would first and foremost like to see the data that they have allegedly used or compiled to think this proposal is a good idea in Collaroy,” Mr Aschner said. “We don’t see it as needed.”
“We think the current situation is adequate and have been addressed by the new turning bays which were done in the last six months.”
“We feel they have addressed a large chunk of the problems and would like to see the data for that strip.”
Fox Sports presenter and former rugby league player Matty Johns was among those in attendance, along with former Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles coach and player Geoff Toovey.
As was Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan and Mackeller federal MP Jason Falinski.
Mr Falinski said the 500 people who were in attendance were representative of the 5000 jobs the strip services, the residents who regularly use the area and the 50-odd community groups that use the area.
“It is an all-abilities precinct,” he said.
‘This is an ill-considered proposal by the RMS, we are in the middle of their consultation period.
“They are not known for taking on board the comments of the community, so this is one agency that we have to speak louder than normal to.”
He said the community had been extremely fair, and was willing to accept some change.
“I actually think the community is being more reasonable than I am,” he said.
“They accept there might need to be changes, that you might need to have clearways earlier in the day on Saturdays,” he said.
“I don’t agree, I think it is not open to discussion, the RMS come in with this sort of blanket approach right a round Sydney.
“My great fear is this is the first part in the three step approach,”
“Extend the clearway, then turn it in to 24 hours, then make it a bus lane. “That is where I think they are heading, a
“After what happened to the T3 lanes (which were converted to bus lanes) I am pretty keen to make sure they don’t go near that.”
The RMS has been contacted, but was yet to provide a response.