ATTACHMENT 4 LOT 36 DP 1153570 AND LOT 20 DP 1171087, GORMON AVENUE, KELLYVILLE
2. Measures to Make Pedestrian Access and Parking Safer
In accordance with Part 2 of Council’s resolution, there are a number of additional modifications and measures that have been investigated to make pedestrian access and parking safer. These include:
a) Construction of kerb and gutter and road pavement along both sides of Seven Hills Road.
This proposal would involve the construction of kerb and gutter along both sides of the road from Marina Road down to the southern side of the bridge and then from the north side of the bridge connecting to the existing kerb and gutter near
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Astoria Park Road. This would still remove all of the kerb-side parking on the eastern side of the road but would provide an opportunity to retain and formalise parallel parking for approximately 25 cars on the western side of the road between Marina Road and the bridge.
This proposal would still have the same nett impact on parking as the amended proposal previously considered by Council. However it would make it easier for cars to park and improve safety for through traffic and pedestrians. By constructing road pavement next to the new kerb and gutter, it would also reduce Council’s road maintenance costs by eliminating the existing unsealed road shoulders.
Preliminary cost estimate: $630,000
(subject to detailed design and utility service investigations)
b) Construction of Median Island with barrier fencing along centreline of Seven Hills Road.
This proposal would involve the construction of a median island with barrier fencing along the centreline of Seven Hills Road from Marina Road to Astoria Park Road and would complement the proposed parking restrictions recommended by the LTC.
The median island and fencing, similar to the work undertaken by RMS along the centreline of Windsor Road near Railway Street at Baulkham Hills, would prevent pedestrians from crossing this section of Seven Hills Road and force them to use the concrete shared path under the bridge or cross at the traffic lights at the intersection of Astoria Park Road.
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The major constraint on this proposal is that the deck of the bridge is relatively narrow and would need to be widened to accommodate the two existing traffic lanes and the proposed median island. Without the widening, the median island and fencing would need to stop short of the bridge on both approaches creating a gap for pedestrians to cross.
If this proposal was to proceed it would require a detailed investigation by a consulting bridge engineer as it would involve significant structural changes to the bridge, the relocation of major utility services attached to the side of the bridge, and the relocation of one of the existing pedestrian bridges that are currently located immediately adjacent to each side of the bridge.
Estimating the cost of widening the bridge deck is not possible without that detailed investigation. However based on a project to widen the deck of the Renown Road bridge at Baulkham Hills in 2012, a cost of between $500,000 and
$750,000 for the project could be expected.
Preliminary cost estimate: $530,000
(median island and pedestrian fencing,excludes bridge widening, pedestrian bridge and utility service relocation costs)
c) Construction of a concrete shared path link between Col Sutton Reserve and Appian Circuit
This proposal would involve constructing a new concrete shared path that would provide a formal link between the existing shared path network in Col Sutton Reserve and an existing concrete pedestrian pathway located between 48 and 50 Appian Circuit. The path would follow the alignment of an existing informal path and provide parents living south of the school easier access to the school entry gate in Appian Circuit, as well as a shorter walk from the carpark at Col Sutton Reserve to the school. It would also form an important pedestrian and cycle link between the Astoria Park Estate and Model Farms High School, Gooden Reserve and the adjoining the M2 bus stop, and Winston Mall shopping centre
Although this proposal has considerable merit, it would require a bridge to cross Toongabbie Creek. Furthermore the topography on the north-western side of the creek is quite steep which would need to be considered in any detailed design.
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There are also potential environmental constraints associated with threatened flora and fauna and aboriginal heritage that would need to be assessed as part of the environmental approval process for such a project.
In addition, this section of Col Sutton Reserve contains three different Bio- Banking sites for open forest and woodland communities of grey ironbark and forest red gum. Although the presence of these Bio-Banking sites may not necessarily prevent the project from proceeding, it would require specialist advice from an ecologist and negotiations with the Office of Environment and Heritage before any works can be undertaken in the area.
Preliminary cost estimate: $240,000
(includes allowance for environmental investigations and reports)
d) Construction of small carpark within William Joyce Reserve
There is an open grassed area within William Joyce Reserve off Marina Road that could be developed as a small carpark accommodating between 10 or 15 cars.
The carpark would still be within a reasonable walking distance of the school entry gate and could be readily used by parents residing in the southern and eastern areas of the school’s catchment. Access to the carpark would be off Marina Road, not far from the Seven Hills Road intersection.
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Construction of a small carpark within this section of William Joyce Reserve would be permissible under the provisions of the LEP and the Generic Plan of Management for Natural Areas.
Although no detailed design has been undertaken, it is envisaged that the carpark would be approximately 40m long and 15m wide, constructed of recycled pavement material with a spray sealed surface and surrounded by logs on cradle barriers.
However before this Option is considered further, consultation should be undertaken with the community on the project.
Preliminary cost estimate: $60,000 for the works as identified above but to seal and drain it to a standard similar to Kenthurst Park, it is estimated to be
$120,000 to $150,000.
If Council wished to pursue Options a), b) or c), they would need to be considered for inclusion in the 2018/19 Works Program. However given the significant cost of each project, their inclusion in a future Works Program could not be justified when compared to other capital works priorities across the Shire.
Option d) could be funded from the Minor Traffic Facilities Budget allocation in the 2017/18 Works Program.
OPTIONS
There are three options available to Council:
1. Accept the recommendation of the independent RSA and the advice of the LTC and impose full time ‘No Stopping’ restrictions on both sides of Seven Hills Road between Marina Road and Astoria Park Road. This would result in the nett loss of approximately 33 parking spaces on Seven Hills Road. However this loss of parking would be more than compensated for by encouraging parents to park in the large number of available parking spaces that can be found within 400m walking distance of an entry gate to Mathew Pearce Public School, that are currently not used.
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2. Consider the alternate proposal put forward for consideration at its meeting on 14 March 2017 that would provide greater controls on parking along this section of Seven Hills Road but still retain between 20 and 25 parking spaces for parents to use. This would result in the nett loss of between 8 and 13 parking spaces.
However there would be no nett loss of parking if the small carpark was to be built in William Joyce Reserve.
3. Take no further action. In considering this option Council needs to be aware that if an accident was to occur that could be linked to issues associated with parent parking, it could result in a potential insurance claim. Under normal circumstances Council’s insurance policy would include coverage for such an event. However if Council was seen to have acted contrary to its own Policy and against technical and professional advice, it is possible that its insurer may not provide coverage for such a claim.
Should Council support either Option 1 or 2 the Road Safety Officer would work with the School Principal and P & C Association to develop a communication strategy to notify parents of the changes and the alternate parking opportunities available in the residential streets around the school.
Option 2 addresses most of the safety concerns with pedestrian and traffic safety in this section of Seven Hills Road. At the same time it still retains a significant number of parking spaces on the western side of the road. Therefore it is recommended that this alternate parking restriction proposal should be approved by Council. It is also recommended that Council undertake community consultation with regard to the construction of the small carpark in William Joyce Reserve.
The alternate parking restriction proposal detailed in Option 2 differs from the LTC recommendation. Although Council is entitled to exercise its delegation from RMS to approve this alternate parking restriction proposal, the Police and RMS also have the right under the delegation to appeal Council’s decision to the Chairperson of the Regional Traffic Committee. In order to allow the Police and RMS to determine whether they wish to exercise that appeal right, a resolution of Council to proceed with the second option could not be acted upon for 14 days from the date of notification.
As the third option involves no changes to the existing parking arrangements on Seven Hills Road, there is no appeal right by the Police or RMS if Council resolved to retain the status quo.
IMPACTS Financial
Funding for the ‘No Stopping’ restrictions will be funded from Council’s existing signs and line-marking budget. Funding for the logs on cradles to manage cars parking on the wider verge areas on the western side of Seven Hills Road will be provided from the budget allocation for Road Safety Projects (Account 2121 3003 000).
If it was to proceed, construction of the small carpark in William Joyce Reserve could be funded from the budget allocation in the 2017/18 Works Program for Minor Traffic Facilities (Project 610011).
The Hills Future - Community Strategic Plan
The recommendation of this report demonstrates Council’s aim of achieving a safer road network through the installation, renewal and modification of traffic facilities.
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RECOMMENDATION
1. As detailed in Attachment 2 to the report, Council approve:
a) the installation of fulltime ‘No Stopping’ restrictions on the western side of Seven Hills Road commencing at a point approximately 120 metres south of the intersection of Astoria Park Road, extending for a distance of 160 metres in a southerly direction;
b) the installation of full time ‘No Stopping’ restrictions on the eastern side of Seven Hills Road from the exiting Bus Stop outside No 199 Seven Hills Road extending for a distance of 380 metres south to the existing fulltime ‘No Parking’ restrictions opposite the Marina Road intersection;
c) the retention of parallel parking on the western side of Seven Hills Road for a distance of approximately 55 metres on the northern side of the bridge over Toongabbie Creek; and
d) the retention of parallel parking on the western side of Seven Hills Road for a distance of approximately 100 metres north of the Marina Road intersection.
2. Council’s Road Safety Officer work with the Matthew Pearce Public School Principal and P & C Association to prepare a communication strategy to ensure that parents are aware of the changes and the alternate parking options available.
3. Consultation be undertaken with the local community regarding the proposed construction of a small carpark in William Joyce Reserve off Marina Road and the outcome of that consultation be the subject of a further report to Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed parking restrictions on Seven Hills Road between Marina Road and Astoria Park Road (1 page)
2. Alternate proposal for parking restrictions on Seven Hills Road between Marina Road and Astoria Park Road (1 page)
3. Results of investigations into parking arrangements around Matthew Pearce Public School (1 page)
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ITEM-7 BUDGET REVIEW AS AT 31 MAY 2017 THEME: Proactive Leadership
OUTCOME: 2 Prudent management of financial resources, assets and people to deliver the community outcomes
STRATEGY: 2.2 Maintain a strong financial position that supports the delivery of services and strategies and ensures long term financial sustainability.
MEETING DATE: 27 JUNE 2017 COUNCIL MEETING
AUTHOR: MANAGER CORPORATE & STRATEGIC PLANNING ANEESH ZAHRA
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CHANDI SABA
REPORT
The purpose of this Report, as required by the Local Government Act and associated regulations, is to enable Council to review its actual Expenditure and Income against the adopted Budget and to consider variations to the Budget
The Office of Local Government (OLG) has developed a set of minimum requirements for the format and content of budget review statements. They will assist Councils in meeting their obligations as set in the Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting and form part of the legislative framework in accordance with clause 203 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.
Although the DLG requires quarterly budget review statements, The Hills Shire Council will continue to provide this information on a monthly cycle. Information is reflected in five main sections, namely Recurrent Operations, Capital Purchases, Capital Works, Section 94 and Real Estate Assets.
Attachments to this report are as follows:
Summary of expenditure and income on Recurrent Operations, Capital Purchases, Capital Works, Section 94 and Real Estate Assets.
Detail the Recurrent Operations Expenditure and Income by Business Program (Outputs)
Income Statements (Statutory Accounts Format) with reconciliation to Budget Result
Statement of Cash & Investments
Balance Sheet
Capital Works Expenditure and Comments on Variations on each Job
Key Performance Indicators
Listing of Contracts & Other Expenses
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Recurrent Operations
The Original adopted budget forecasts a Budget Surplus of $72k for this financial year.
Variations proposed this review will result in a revised Recurrent Operations Budget Surplus of $528k.
Local Government Code of Practice requires the inclusion of all income received as income for the year, even though the associated expenditure may be incurred in future periods. As such the matching concept is not in place and the Statutory Accounts reflect an operating surplus of $28.4m (Attachment 1 Page 9) which is somewhat misleading.
This differs from the Budget Format which matches income to the period that the expenditure is to incur. Reconciliation between the Original Operating Surplus $28.4m and the Original Budget Surplus $72k is detailed in Attachment 1 Page 9.
Summary Budget Result is detailed below.
Recurrent
Operations Original
Budget Current
Budget Proposed Revised Budget
Proposed Contra variations
Proposed Other Variations
Ref
$000 $000 $000 $000 $000
Income (140,476) (148,379) (149,773) (36) (1,357) 1-9
Expenditure 122,398 129,157 129,935 98 680 10-14
Budget (Surplus) (18,079) (19,222) (19,837) 61 (677)
Transfer To/(From)
Reserves 18,082 21,124 21,886 - 763 15
Transfer from Prior
Year Sec 94 0 0 (500) - (500) 16
Transfer from Prior
Year Grants (76) (2,015) (2,077) (61) -
Proposed
Budget (Surplus)
(72) (113) (528) 0 (415)
Recurrent Operations
All major variations are listed below and also indexed to Attachment 1.
Income – Increase $1.4m as detailed below 1. General Rates Income – Increase $117k
Greater than anticipated income as a result of supplementary levies issued after receiving revised valuations advice from the Valuer-General. All supplementary
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lists received to 31 March 2017 have now been processed, and no further levies can be issued until 1 July 2017.