Sydney Harbour Bridge bike path: Transport for NSW submit compulsory acquisition of Bradfield Park, Milsons Point
After a four year battle, North Sydney Council and local residents have seemingly lost a battle to protect Bradfield Park at Milsons Point from compulsory acquisition.
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One of the most controversial developments in Northern Sydney looks to go ahead after council was threatened by Transport NSW with Compulsory Acquisition of land if they did not agree with a proposed plan for the site.
Bradfield Park in Milsons Point,transformed into a battleground between residents, North Sydney Council and Transport for NSW over a proposed linear cycle ramp.
But the fight to protect it has come to a “devastating” conclusion with council accepting a $2.5 million support package to build the controversial cycleway ramp.
North Sydney mayor Zoe Baker described the negotiation processes with Transport for NSW as “disgusting”.
The proposal for the new bike ramp sparked huge backlash, which led to nearly 9000 locals signing a petition in hopes to scrap Transport for NSW designs in favour for the ‘community cycle ramp’ that was heavily endorsed by council.
However, the council will now accept a $2.5 million support fund to develop the ramp as per the Bradfield Park Masterplan, with a Northern Sydney council spokeswoman telling the Saturday Telegraph they had no “power to prevent compulsory acquisition” which gives them little options even though they “continue to support the community design.”
The land is currently under a Statutory Trust – which means council can’t lease or sell it – however, Transport are able to forcefully acquire it under the ‘Just Terms Act’ which allows an authority of the state to acquire land if its for a public purpose.
North Sydney councillor Ian Mutton, who proposed a motion at a council meeting on May 13 to fight the acquisition, said the actions of the NSW Government were “cowardly”.
“We are dealing with a department that is out of control, that is absolutely unaccountable,” he said. “I’ve had it, the state government is meant to listen to the community and it doesn’t.”
His motion was denied after Mayor Baker said Council had attempted to negotiate with Transport over many years but to no avail.
“Not to adopt the recommendation will not change Transport for NSW acquisition nor their comment to proceed with the project,” she said. “Transport for NSW’s acquisition powers override the trust and there is very little prospect for success.”
Concerned resident Ian Lloyd, said that what Transport has done could “destroy” Bradfield Park and believes it could be another disaster like Rozelle Interchange.
Transport’s Linear Ramp is touted to cost $68 million.
A Transport for NSW spokesman said to construct the Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway ramp,the department would need access to Bradfield Park.
“Transport will commence this compulsory process on 6 June in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 to meet the dates for construction access,” he said.
“Once construction is completed, Transport for NSW will need to acquire a small component of the land to maintain the cycleway ramp.”
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