Reviewing feedback

Notification - Maintenance work (complete) 5 March 2024

We recently advised that following community feedback, maintenance works to improve the existing line markings on Oliver and Bennett Streets would be taking place.

Many submissions received in response to the proposed Curl-Curl Freshwater Connectivity and Streetscape Upgrade, noted that it was difficult to see the temporary line markings on Oliver and Bennett Streets. This occurs when the paint wears off over time. Please be assured, this was maintenance work only and this work is now complete.

Project update

We are in the final stages of reviewing feedback, before a Community Engagement Report is finalised. It will then be presented at an upcoming Council meeting. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing interest in the proposed project.

Project Update and Snapshot - 26 February 2024

In June 2023 we listened to the community and paused works to revise the design of the Curl Curl to Freshwater connectivity project. We refined the proposed design for a better whole community outcome.

We then went out to community consultation for a period of five weeks in late 2023. An independent consultant is in the process of reviewing the feedback and preparing a Community Engagement Report (the Report). We just did a final check for new data or emerging themes prior to the consultant finalising the Report.

Our next project update will be to let you know when the review of the feedback is complete and will be reported to Council.


Background

Over the past two years three options were presented for consideration to improve the amenity of Oliver Street, Bennett Street and Park Street between Freshwater Village and Curl Curl Lagoon. The revised design has been developed based on community feedback, key stakeholder engagement, the outcomes of an independent Road Safety Audit, and approval at the Local Traffic Committee meeting (held 5 April 2022). The proposed works include:

  • On-road two way separated cycleway on the northern side of Bennett Street and eastern side of Oliver Street
  • 20km/h safe street environment on Park Street
  • Eight new and improved crossings for people walking and bike riding
  • One zebra crossing upgraded to a raised pedestrian crossing
  • Two new bus stop platforms that will be disability compliant and enable quicker boarding and alighting of bus passengers
  • More greenery, including garden beds
  • Safer walking routes to local primary schools with over 2,000 households able to walk continuously using marked crossings
  • Wider lanes compared to previous proposals plus additional width at the bend of Oliver Street and Bennett Street
  • More pavement space for children and families during pick-up and drop-off time outside Harbord Public School on Oliver Street, and
  • Wayfinding signage and line marking upgrades.

Check out the images and maps


Before & after images

User the sliders on the images below to compare the current streets with the proposed works.

Bennett Street & Park Street Intersection

Before After

Bennett Street Bus Stop

Before After

Oliver Street & Bennett Street Intersection

Before After

Oliver Street & Brighton Street Intersection

Before After

Harbord Public School

Before After

Oliver Street & Wyadra Avenue Intersection

Before After

Oliver Street & Wyuna Avenue Intersection

Before After

Oliver Street & Wyndora Avenue Intersection

Before After

St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School

Before After

Oliver Street & Village Car Park Driveway

Before After

Bike connections map

School walking map

The map below identifies residences that can walk to school safely. The proposed design means safer walking routes to local primary schools with over 2,000 households able to walk continuously using marked crossings. For many more households students will only need assistance crossing the street in front of their house.

Map showing areas they can walk to school

Parking adjustments and map

While parking is being retained on both sides of the street, some reduction in on-street parking is anticipated from the street upgrade to accommodate safety and design requirements. This includes providing wider buffers on either side of driveways to allow ease of access for residents to and from their properties, in response to feedback previously received from directly affected households.

We have closely studied parking impacts to ensure parking demand and supply is appropriately managed. There are 216 properties (including individual units) directly along the project route, comprising primarily of single dwelling houses with access to at least one off-street parking space, noting that the long-term parking of private vehicles is the responsibility of the property owner on private property. The latest Census data for Freshwater suggests that there would be approximately 339 private vehicles owned by these properties.

The table below outlines impacts to on-street parking spaces along the project route. View the parking adjustments map for more detail.

Table showing summary of adjustments to parking

*To accommodate wider travel lanes at the bend

To accommodate safer intersections and adequate sight lines near new pedestrian crossings, some parking may be reduced on side streets intersecting with Oliver Street, specifically, these include:

  • 2 spaces on Bennett Street
  • 4 spaces on Brighton Street
  • 2 spaces on Wyuna Avenue
  • 1 space on Wyndora Avenue
  • 1 space on Soldiers Avenue

Have your say - closed

We invited you to view the plans and provide your feedback:

All comments in their entirety are made publicly available in the Community Engagement Report. Personal identifying information, and content which is discriminatory, hateful or which may defame, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate will be redacted.

Survey