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Council statement about infrastructure work at The Parade and George Street, Norwood

08/09/2021

It is extremely important that residents, business and property owners and visitors to the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters are aware of the facts relating to the right hand turn lanes which are being constructed at the intersection of George Street and The Parade, Norwood.

The roadwork – which is currently underway – is strongly opposed by the Council.

The works have been approved by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) after it was lobbied by the two private property owners who wanted dedicated right-hand lanes installed, in addition to a ‘scramble crossing’.

The concept of a ‘scramble crossing’ is to allow all pedestrian movements to occur at one time, followed by vehicular movements.

The ‘scramble crossing’ was initially proposed by the Council as part of The Parade Masterplan which was the subject of three rounds of consultation with residents, property owners, business owners and visitors, as well as key stakeholders including the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.

The ‘scramble crossing’ was approved by the State Government and ready to be installed, before legal action was taken against the Council by two private property owners to stop the work.

In order to create a ‘scramble crossing’ there is no need for major roadworks. It is simply a change of the traffic light sequence and some line-marking.

The Council has, and continues to support the installation of a scramble crossing.

However, the Council is opposed to the dedicated right hand turn lanes and changes to the infrastructure - in particular the median island, on which the community’s much-loved Christmas trees and four flag poles are placed, have already been removed and a significant tree is at risk of dying.

Given the significant impact the new changes will make to this intersection, the Council believed it had no choice but to pursue this matter in the Supreme Court.

This court action was to obtain details about what was proposed by the two property owners and what was agreed to by the State Government.

Unfortunately, the Council was not successful in defending The Parade from this damaging infrastructure work.

Throughout the next few weeks, residents, visitors and traders will face traffic delays, road works and other disturbances to accommodate works which will not improve safety at this intersection and will detrimentally change The Parade.

Regrettably, there was minimal advance notice given about the scope of the works and the times of the day and night during which the works will occur. The timing of the release of this information is solely the responsibility of the two property owners acting on behalf of DIT.

There will also be night works which will have a significant impact for local businesses which rely on dinner patrons, movie-goers and other visitors – particularly as we enter spring and the weather gets warmer.