An Alternative
Instead of Option One, a project that
CAWB is calling for the renovation of our historic Windsor Bridge for local traffic and the construction of a new river crossing on a bypass for through traffic and heavy vehicles: a solution that will protect and reinstate the heritage values of Thompson Square, satisfy the Hawkesbury's future traffic demands, satisfy the needs of our residents, local business and be appealing from an urban design point of view.
Regrettably, on 20 December 2013 Minister Hazzard announced planning approval for the government's third-rate, short-sighted plans for Option One.
- sees a two-lane bridge replace a two-lane bridge
- forever destroys our historical town square
- does little to improve traffic conditions, or flood immunity
- is a waste of $65 million of taxpayers' funds,
CAWB is calling for the renovation of our historic Windsor Bridge for local traffic and the construction of a new river crossing on a bypass for through traffic and heavy vehicles: a solution that will protect and reinstate the heritage values of Thompson Square, satisfy the Hawkesbury's future traffic demands, satisfy the needs of our residents, local business and be appealing from an urban design point of view.
Regrettably, on 20 December 2013 Minister Hazzard announced planning approval for the government's third-rate, short-sighted plans for Option One.
An example of a bypass option, 'The Rickaby's Line'.
CAWB is a community group being forced to defend one of Australia's most significant colonial legacies because the NSW Government is preparing to destroy probably the most significant reminder of Governor Macquarie's town planning legacy: Thompson Square. The destruction of this colonial icon is about to start. CAWB has repeatedly and very reasonably requested that any river crossing at Windsor simply deliver the following:
* Long term solution for traffic
* Protection of our Heritage
* Pedestrian safety
* Minimum traffic noise
* Respect for vulnerable residents
* Reduced traffic through Thompson Square
* Improved interpretation of the colonial town planning, as validated by independent heritage experts.
* Improved public space
* Improved air quality
* Respect for river use and the river's cultural landscape.
CAWB believes this is easily achieved with renovation of the existing bridge for light and local traffic, and the construction of a new river crossing in the form of a bypass for through and heavy vehicles.
CAWB is committed to holding the Government to these principles no matter what solution they propose.
* Long term solution for traffic
* Protection of our Heritage
* Pedestrian safety
* Minimum traffic noise
* Respect for vulnerable residents
* Reduced traffic through Thompson Square
* Improved interpretation of the colonial town planning, as validated by independent heritage experts.
* Improved public space
* Improved air quality
* Respect for river use and the river's cultural landscape.
CAWB believes this is easily achieved with renovation of the existing bridge for light and local traffic, and the construction of a new river crossing in the form of a bypass for through and heavy vehicles.
CAWB is committed to holding the Government to these principles no matter what solution they propose.
Moree Bypass. Image: RMS
The Government’s current proposal will effectively 'concrete' a major arterial route (Parramatta to Singleton) through the earliest public square in Australia; a keystone of Macquarie's town planning legacy.
These plans are in direct conflict with the standard Government practice of diverting heavy vehicles away from residential, recreational and commercial areas AND heritage precincts. (e.g. Goulburn, Yass, Berrima, Berry, Carcoar, Moree).
RMS research in Windsor proves that a small town bypass:
CAWB has no political allegiances. We have no commitment to any of the extraordinarily inadequate and inappropriate options that have been put forward by the Government regarding the much-needed new crossing of the Hawkesbury River.
These plans are in direct conflict with the standard Government practice of diverting heavy vehicles away from residential, recreational and commercial areas AND heritage precincts. (e.g. Goulburn, Yass, Berrima, Berry, Carcoar, Moree).
RMS research in Windsor proves that a small town bypass:
- Offers potential for future road upgrading without bringing increased traffic volumes through the town centre (3);
- Performs “significantly better” than Option 1 according to 2026 traffic models (4);
- “...is preferred from an urban design point of view”: RTA, (August, 2011) (5);
- “...offers many benefits to Windsor township and provides an opportunity to develop a road that fits sympathetically into the landscape” (6);
- Will have little to no impact on the number of patrons visiting the Windsor town centre as 70% of traffic using the current Windsor Bridge is through traffic, which does not stop at Windsor (7).
CAWB has no political allegiances. We have no commitment to any of the extraordinarily inadequate and inappropriate options that have been put forward by the Government regarding the much-needed new crossing of the Hawkesbury River.
Community Consultation
CAWB wants the best solution for our community and looks forward to continued consulting with the RMS, interested groups and individuals. CAWB wants to encourage open discussion of possible alternatives to Option 1. There are more possibilities for a bypass than the only example considered by the RTA/RMS - this is blatantly obvious.
Retention of Existing Windsor Bridge
CAWB asserts that the existing Windsor Bridge is not in any danger of falling down soon and should be retained for local traffic without requiring significant rehabilitation or cost. Stress testing by RMS has shown that it is still capable of carrying unrestricted loads for some time to come but like all bridges new and old it needs to be monitored and maintained. A report commissioned by the Government from Peter Stewart Consulting on the condition of the bridge states "The condition of the existing bridge is such that it is not in a dire condition and could relatively economically be refurbished and strengthened.". Report on Structural Condition of the existing Windsor Bridge, Peter Stewart Consulting P/L, 2013, pg. 31
The same report also stated "This is a heritage landmark that contributes to the social & economic life of Windsor. It would be a great loss to demolish this state significant structure.".
Read CAWB's vision for the future of the Hawkesbury
CAWB wants the best solution for our community and looks forward to continued consulting with the RMS, interested groups and individuals. CAWB wants to encourage open discussion of possible alternatives to Option 1. There are more possibilities for a bypass than the only example considered by the RTA/RMS - this is blatantly obvious.
Retention of Existing Windsor Bridge
CAWB asserts that the existing Windsor Bridge is not in any danger of falling down soon and should be retained for local traffic without requiring significant rehabilitation or cost. Stress testing by RMS has shown that it is still capable of carrying unrestricted loads for some time to come but like all bridges new and old it needs to be monitored and maintained. A report commissioned by the Government from Peter Stewart Consulting on the condition of the bridge states "The condition of the existing bridge is such that it is not in a dire condition and could relatively economically be refurbished and strengthened.". Report on Structural Condition of the existing Windsor Bridge, Peter Stewart Consulting P/L, 2013, pg. 31
The same report also stated "This is a heritage landmark that contributes to the social & economic life of Windsor. It would be a great loss to demolish this state significant structure.".
Read CAWB's vision for the future of the Hawkesbury
| eis_submission_town_planning_finished.pdf |
REFERENCES:
1. Tierney Page Kirkland Pty Ltd. (2011).Government Options Review Workshop. RTA, August 2011, p 20.
2. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA). (2011). Windsor Bridge Replacement: Options Report. RTA, August 2011 p 54-55.
3. Tierney Page Kirkland Pty Ltd. (2011).Government Options Review Workshop. RTA, August 2011, p 20.
4. RTA. (2011). Windsor Bridge over Hawkesbury River: Traffic Modelling and Evaluation of Options – Preliminary Report. RTA, August 2011, p. 11
5. Government Architects Office. (2011). Landscape and visual investigation for bridge options at Windsor. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA), August 2011, p 21.
6. Government Architects Office. (2011). Landscape and visual investigation for bridge options at Windsor. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA), August 2011 p 19.
7 . Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA). (2011). Windsor Bridge Replacement: Options Report. RTA, August 2011, p 31
1. Tierney Page Kirkland Pty Ltd. (2011).Government Options Review Workshop. RTA, August 2011, p 20.
2. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA). (2011). Windsor Bridge Replacement: Options Report. RTA, August 2011 p 54-55.
3. Tierney Page Kirkland Pty Ltd. (2011).Government Options Review Workshop. RTA, August 2011, p 20.
4. RTA. (2011). Windsor Bridge over Hawkesbury River: Traffic Modelling and Evaluation of Options – Preliminary Report. RTA, August 2011, p. 11
5. Government Architects Office. (2011). Landscape and visual investigation for bridge options at Windsor. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA), August 2011, p 21.
6. Government Architects Office. (2011). Landscape and visual investigation for bridge options at Windsor. Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA), August 2011 p 19.
7 . Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA). (2011). Windsor Bridge Replacement: Options Report. RTA, August 2011, p 31