Chronology of Community Consultation and Major Decisions
Lawson, Great Western Highway Upgrade, Section 2
Compiled by Theresa Lock, ACMMR for Lawson Visions 16th February, 2006
1967
NSW Government gazettes Great Western Highway (GWH) Widening through Lawson – DCPs show proposed highway route directly through Lawson’s shops.
1992
GWH Plan of Management released by Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).
1993
Kinhill Report into GWH widening at Lawson, Section 2 recommends retention of shops and further investigation of road widening options.
1995
Environmental Management Plan (EMP II) studies commissioned by BMCC show highway shops as potential inclusions in a “heritage list”. BMCC doesn’t follow up recommendations of these studies and subsequently excises Lawson’s core village area from DLEP process. .
1997, February
The RTA holds a Public Meeting to discuss the above options. (RTA).
1997
The Planning Focus Group (PFG) is formed “to facilitate community consultation for the Highway options”. This group comprised residential and business community members as well as community groups, BMCC and RTA representatives.
1997, May
A Public Inquiry is held by Dr Mark Carleton for the NSW Office of Commissioners of Inquiry into the DLEP 1997 process.
1997, September 24 GWH Plan of Management released by Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).
1997, Sept to 1998, Dec
BBC Consultants commissioned by BMCC and RTA to undertake Lawson Township Study.
1997, Dec 17
Open evening held by BMCC to discuss Township Study
1998, May 27
Public Meeting held by BMCC and Township study team to discuss Lawson Township Study...
1998, July
The National Trust of Aust (NSW) informs Council that the Trust has classified the shops’ buildings as an Urban Conservation Area. This is not followed up by BMCC.
1998, September 1
The Heritage Office of NSW recommends that BMCC include the Lawson Urban Conservation Area as a heritage item on Council’s DLEP 97. This is not achieved.
1998, October
Lawson Township Study (BBC) released. Presents a Retain-Rebuild option (retain historic buildings and build new to improve township). Recommends retail analysis be undertaken to assess commercial viability of this recommendation.
1998, December
NSW Commission of Inquiry into DLEP 97 under Dr Mark Carleton finds that Council has not adequately addressed matters relating to Heritage and recommends that Council establish site specific heritage DCP’s for Heritage Conservation Areas. This is not done.
1998, 22 December
Council meeting is presented with Lawson Township Study. Resolves to undertake a retail analysis and to exhibit Township Study
1999, Jan 6 – Feb 28
Lawson Township Study (BBC) on public exhibition.
1999 January
Hill PDA (Consultants) employed to undertake Retail Impact Assessment by BMCC and RTA..
1999, July 7 – 21
Retail Impact Assessment (Hill PDA) placed on ‘display’ for information only. On the basis of 26% retail turnover relying on passing trade the Assessment identifies slip-road as only viable option given that the RTA are not disposed to widen highway into rail land.
1999, July 20
Results of submissions into exhibition of the Lawson Township Study (BBC Planners) and findings of Retail Impact Assessment reported to Council meeting. Council resolves not to adopt Retain-Rebuild option and to place on public exhibition its Preferred Option.
1999, July 28 to Aug 11
BMCC holds two-week public exhibition of its Preferred Option, Section 2 (slip-road). Invites public submissions.
1999, August 24
Council Meeting hears results of exhibition submissions into Preferred Option, Section 2. 148 submissions, 64% in favour of Preferred Option (i.e. pro-demolition option), 33% against plus one petition against Preferred Option (i.e. against demolition) of 195 signatures tabled at meeting. Despite greater numbers against Preferred Option, Council resolves to adopt Preferred Option
2001, September, 6
Bob Debus announces in circular letter that the State Government and RTA have adopted the Preferred Option, Section 2 GWH widening.
2001, November
RTA circulates newsletter on GWH widening, Section 1.
2002, February 8
RTA holds “Information day” to present Preferred Option, Section 2.
2002, February 17
Public Meeting held by residents at which ACMMR is formed.
2002, March 19
Public meeting held at which ACMMR committee is elected.
2002, April 10
ACMMR holds public meeting to discuss highway widening options for all sections.
2002, April 14
ACMMR holds public ‘walk through’ areas of concern re highway widening.
2002, June 1
ACMMR holds public meeting re Section 2, GWH widening.
2002, July
BMCC’s EMP 2002 notes that Lawson is the only village for which detailed study of the ‘core village’ area has not taken place. Proposes that these studies are undertaken in early 2002.
2002, July 30
Council resolves to form the Lawson Town Centre Advisory Group (LTCAG) – to guide the redevelopment of the Township.
2002, August 11
ACMMR holds public meeting with Jack Mundey.
2002, October
Expected date for completion of Heritage Study (Biosis Consultants jointly funded RTA and BMCC) in Lawson. This not publicly available until the release of the RTA’s Review of Environmental Factors (REF).
2002, Aug 7
RTA advertises for tenders to undertake Review of Environmental Factors (REF), Section 2 (Sydney Morning Herald P.31).
2003
BMCC appoints Civitas to formulate Master Plan for redevelopment of Lawson Town Centre.
2003, January
ACMMR holds public meeting into Section 1 Highway Widening.
2003, January
RTA announces that Hill PDA will be the author of the new Retail Impact Analysis to be undertaken as part of the Section 2 REF.
2003, January
BMCC resolves to undertake Heritage Report for amendment to Sch 7. DLEP 2002. Appoints Ian Jack Consulting.
2003, February
Hill PDA conduct shopper and retail surveys for the REF Retail Study
2003, February
RTA circulates information leaflet on community workshops and Information Day plus 1800 number and deadline for submissions. This newsletter is not received by the majority of the community in time to attend the March 8th Information Day.
2003, March
Above leaflet redistributed. No further Information Day proposed deadline for submissions extended to mid April.
2003, April
Community workshops on Section 2 to be held by GHD Consultants postponed until June 2003 (later cancelled completely). Further community submissions invited via letter to workshop applicants
2003, June 28
Community workshop held by Civitas in Lawson. Flier delivered by hand with shops catalogues weekend prior. Newspaper ad in Gazette Wed, 25th June.
2003, June 28
Civitas Street Display, Lawson
2003, Aug 23
Civitas Public Workshop Lawson
2003, Sept 15 to Oct 29
Public Exhibition of the Master Plan. Submissions deadline 29th October.
2003, Sept 15 to Oct 29
Deadline provided by Council for public release of Ian Jack Consulting Heritage Report. Council does not release the report.
2003 October 18
Public Meeting held by ACMMR to discuss Master Plan.
2003, October 21
Council Meeting receives the Ian Jack Consulting Heritage Study. This study identifies four key areas as ‘Heritage Conservation Areas’, one being the Lawson highway shops’ precinct. Councillors vote NOT to publicly display Study during Master Plan exhibition period.
2003, Nov 26
Following the June postponement of the community workshops for GHD/RTA, the RTA decides NOT to pursue further community consultation.
2003, Dec 2
Council votes to accept Ian Jack Heritage Study and for it to be considered with the RTA’s Biosis study to go forward as single amendment to Sch. 7 of the DLEP 2002 at a future date. Neither Heritage report is publicly available at this time.
2003, Dec 16
Council votes to adopt Master Plan and for it to be incorporated in the RTA’s Review of Environmental Factors (REF) process.
2004, May
ACMMR releases its Alternative Plan for highway widening. This plan - demonstrating that widening to four lanes can be achieved while retaining highway parking in Lawson’s - is made possible by the RTA’s decision to buy rail land to widen the highway corridor. This was not previously declared feasible (see July ’99).
2004, February
Anticipated date for release of RTA’s Review of Environmental Factors (REF). Postponed.
2004, June 23
Information evening held by ACMMR to discuss Alternative Plan for Highway Widening.
2004, October 12
BMCC resolves to put Lawson Town Centre DCP on exhibition.
2004 Dec to 2005, April 8
RTA places REF Section 2 on exhibition for public comment.
2005, January to March
BMCC places DCP for Lawson Town Centre on exhibition for public comment.
2005, June 21
BMCC receives report into Heritage studies for Lawson. Resolves to keep this confidential..
2005, September
RTA confirms that: (i) Section 1A highway widening is awaiting preparation of the REF (ii) Section 1B construction start is awaiting funding and (iii0 Section II REF will be determined ‘in the next few months’, with detailed design and acquisition expected to take 2 years approx from that date.
2005, October 4
Council approves DCP for Lawson.
2005, January (end of)
Results of REF due, but not public yet.
2005, October 4
Council approves DCP for Lawson.
2006, February 8 to April 7
Heritage schedule amendments for LEP placed on public exhibition for comment.
2006
RTA�s REF Stage II signed by Minister for Roads. 2006
LEP Heritage Schedule passed in Council. Awaiting gazettal by Minister.
2006, Sep
Council passes Revised Concept Plan, based on the DCP but with very significant changes, and designed entirely without community consultation.
2007, April
First of 12 Town Centre Development Applications on exhibition. Heritage Schedule still not gazetted.
2007, May
Amended Draft Plan of Management Mechanics Institute on exhibition. Excludes option to relocate hall back on block and has preferred option of demolition.
2007, June
Following community and State level pressure Council requests costing by Mammoth Movers for relocation of hall.
2007, Aug
Despite overwhelming community opposition via state-wide submissions to the "preferred option" of demolition in Council's Amended Plan Of Management (90%), Council passes, with Mayor Angel's casting vote, a motion to demolish Lawson Mechanics Institute.
Business papers have hurried costing by Council staff for relocation of Mechanics Institute to well over $2m, a figure considered heavily inflated by Mammoth Movers who had provided quote (see Blue Mtns Council website for report). Figures based on CS Barratt report which include such things as paths, driveways, gutter cleaning, exterior lighting etc not included on costing for a new building (which is described as a tin building on concrete slab).
2007
Following representations by local MP Phil Koperberg, RTA come up with another plan to save hall by relocating portico and giving back resumed portion, and presents it to Council. It is clearly an economic way of saving the hall and widening the highway. Council's response is to ask State Govt for $575,000 to refurbish hall.
2007, Nov
Following significant reservations via community submissions about Lawson Town Centre Revised Concept Plan DA, Council puts on exhibition amended DA addressing some, but not all of community concerns.
2007, Nov
DA for demolition of Mechanics Institute on exhibition. Erroneously lists land as Operational instead of community land.2008, Apr
Amended Town Centre DA passed in council despite significant community concerns about traffic movement and absence of bicycle paths. Illogical road closure coincidentally alongside Heatherbrae House owned by Coles, apparently also interested in Dept of Housing site also in planned closed-off section.2008, Apr
The National Trust offers to set up a Tax Deductible Appeals System for Mechanics Institute and there remain other avenues for external funding, but Council passes DA for demolition of Mechanics Institute. No plan is presented for the community site on which the hall stands.
Willing members of the community had injected sense, goodwill and sound economic reason to the debate with a business plan showing many groups waiting to use the hall and tradesmen offering services for free. Hall space is badly needed in the Blue Mountains. CS Barratt report is carefully analysed by community and found to be seriously flawed.
It is plainly obvious that actually putting the hall to good use with the RTA plan is more economical than demolition, and that Council figures for bringing the hall to usable condition are overblown. Hall had PoPE licence until council closed it (after spending thousands renovating hall and roof).
Re-establishing PoPE licence estimated to cost between $50,000 and $100,000. Councillor Van Der Kley is quoted in Blue Mountains Gazette saying that Council needs $1m to save the hall.
Amendment to Heritage Schedule that would re-establish local heritage listing for hall still not gazetted by Minister due to issues between Planning Dept and Council. Has been in Planning Dept for over one year.