ACMMR NEWS
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PO Box 54 Lawson NSW Ph: 02-47592647 April 2006
At last! Lawson Shops in LEP Heritage Amendments
Council has officially recommended the majority of Lawson shops be in a Heritage Conservation Precinct. There are four such precincts in Lawson recommended for inclusion in the Local Environment Plan (LEP). So how does this affect the proposed demolition of many of these buildings for highway widening?
The contradiction of heritage-listing the shop buildings after proposing their demolition is the unavoidable outcome of Council’s failure to act in a logical, accountable fashion about highway widening options. Council did not bother to establish the heritage importance of Lawson BEFORE deciding on a highway route, despite advice to do so from key heritage bodies and a commission. In 1999 Council approved an RTA option that involved demolishing Lawson’s highway buildings for nothing other than to make way for an enclosed service road with angled parking. ACMMR has shown that this parking arrangement would not be the most efficient one, which defeats its purpose (see http://www.savelawson.org).
With the heritage status finally recognised, it’s time the RTA and BMCC admitted that their Preferred Option for highway widening involves unnecessary vandalism and will create hardship and immense disruption.
ACMMR believes that the only sensible course of action is a thorough review of the options. It should examine a plan (see http://www.savelawson.org) known by Council and refined by ACMMR, that retains our heritage, provides four highway lanes, highway parking and a transition lane, and separates the road building from the redevelopment of Lawson’s shopping centre. Council could still fulfil its promise of providing Lawson with infrastructure for additional village shops and a square, WITHOUT DEMOLITION, and we could get a new wider highway much faster.
Papers and maps showing the Heritage Precincts are currently on exhibition at Lawson library and Council offices. You can send in your support of them to Council by 7th April (please see attached letter). Heritage is a commercial and social asset we should treasure!
Where is the Money for Infrastructure? BMCC Please Explain
The bottom line for Lawson’s redevelopment (however it occurs) is how it will be paid for. Over the last year ACMMR has requested accountability from Council over how much it has spent on the project and what it has left, with fears that poor funding or budget blow-outs will affect the quality and design of the new town centre.
- March 2005:- The Lawson Town Centre Advisory Group hears that “Approx $1.4m [is] available for construction.”
- August 2005: - Cllr McInnes requests a status report on budget via Council meeting (2/8).
- October 2005: - Council meeting hears that $1,225,388 has been spent so far and that “an approach [will be] made to the RTA for additional funds”. A full report is promised for the 1st November Council meeting. This has NOT been provided to date.
We ask the questions:-
with such discrepancy in the financial figures does Council actually have any clear idea of what has been spent so far on this project and how it will budget for the completion of the town centre?
if the RTA are required to help with further funding, what contingency plan does Council have should this not eventuate?
when will a fully accountable and transparent set of figures be available to the public to explain this situation?
Lawson Golf Course Redevelopment Exhibition
Options for the redevelopment of Lawson Golf Course are on exhibition at the Lawson Library. Redevelopment of this site could be a showcase for Blue Mountains eco-tourism and for Council. The proposal suggested by the Bushcare network (Option 6) would have the least impact on the environment and would enable Council and the local community, together with the Aboriginal community, to establish an ongoing, self-funding eco-tourist destination. ACMMR supports this option.
The options proposed by the consultants (10 & 11) both involve large-scale development potential involving excavation of land with the consequences of erosion and run-off into the creek feeding the falls area further down.
For example the area in Option 11 suggested for development includes the current BMX track, oval and some sensitive vegetation. It may be more appropriate to place sporting fields on the rehabilitated tip area at the end of Ridge St where there is less likely to be traffic problems than there would be in Wilson Street.
Please have a look at the options. We encourage you to support Option 6 in writing to: Melanie Miels, Lawson Golf Course Redevelopment, Reply Paid 65079, GHD 10 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Fax 02 9239 7193 – closing date is 1st May.
Things you can do:
Be interested and involved in a process that is far from over. Like ACMMR, demand transparency and accountability from those who are making the decisions about OUR village. Contact and join:-
ACMMR, PO Box 54, Lawson 2783 or 02 4759 2647
Tell your concerns to:
BMCC: Michael Willis, General Manager, BMMC, Locked Bag 1005, Katoomba, 2780
RTA: Ian Scott, Project Manager, GWH Upgrade Lawson, Level 2, 83 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown. NSW 2148
Minister for Roads: Hon. Eric Roozendahl MP, Level 30 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 or enquiries.roads@roozendahl.minister.nsw.gov.au
Member for Blue Mountains: Hon. Bob Debus, Shop 3, 107-109 Macquarie St Springwood NSW 2777 or bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Update
Great Western Highway Widening
There has been no known progress by the RTA on any section of highway widening through Lawson since our last newsletter. Section 2 (Lawson shops) is awaiting determination of the RTA’s Review of Environmental Factors (REF due Feb this year).
Section 1, now in two parts, is awaiting the preparation of an REF and government funding approval. There is still no word on the latest option involving a viaduct to cross the highway over the rail line, thereby creating a highway-independent local crossing over highway and rail, using the existing bridge. This option was initially warmly received by the community and authorities.
Mechanics Institute Plan of Management No Longer Valid
One of our most precious historical assets, the Mechanics Institute, has been under threat of demolition for some time now following Council’s inaction to plan its future. The highway widening requires the land on which the front portion of the Hall is located.
Council’s Plan of Management (POM) was riddled with confusion and stalled due to legal argument. Since then, the Lawson Rural Fire Service has decided not to relocate from its present site behind the Hall.
This means that the POM is no longer valid since it incorporated options involving both buildings. Council must now hold a new, RELEVANT consultation process with the community on the hall.
The RTA has given Council a deadline of mid-2006 for a decision.
Tahlia House and the Baptist Church next door have now been beautifully restored – the Mechanics Institute can and should have the same treatment to create an imposing entrance to the heart of Lawson.
In the short term a plan to at least rebuild the façade with as much of existing material as possible, must be put in place soon. This would not be an expensive exercise.
Lawson in Limbo - Why are we waiting?
Council has managed to spend more than half the allocated money for the Lawson redevelopment before any construction whatsoever. So can it construct the required infrastructure with the money left?
ACMMR NEWS
September 2005
RTA’s Timetable - Highway On Hold
In July, ACMMR wrote to the RTA for an update. The RTA’s response tells us it has no specific dates for commencement of any section of the highway widening through Lawson. Here are our questions and the RTA’s answers:-
Section 1A. Ferguson Avenue to Bass Street
ACMMR: “What is the status with the Review of Environmental Factors (REF)?”
RTA: Preparation of the REF is progressing.
Section 1B: Bass Street to Honour Avenue
ACMMR: “Work on this section was due to start about now, can you please let us know what the present timetable is?”
RTA: “Construction of Section 1B will proceed when funds are allocated in the State budget.”
Section 2. Honour Ave to Ridge Street
ACMMR: “Can we have a further update on when the REF for this section is expected to be determined as well as an updated timetable for works?”
RTA: “The REF is expected to be determined in the next few months. Detailed design and acquisitions will then require up to two years to complete.”
The RTA’s statements make it quite clear that Lawson cannot expect immediate commencement of any highway works. What is of more concern are statements contained in the RTA”s REF for Lawson Section 2 (the shops):-
“The major constraints on construction include the provision of parking, roads and services behind the shops (managed by BMCC)...” Vol 1, p.86
The RTA cannot proceed with highway widening until BMCC has managed a significant portion of the Lawson redevelopment.
“As the timing of some of these activities is uncertain and partially outside the control of the RTA, the timing of the highway is uncertain.” Vol 1, P3.
But does Council have the money or expertise to manage this and how long does this mean we’ll have to wait?
ACMMR supports highway widening and the revitalisation of Lawson village but not at the high cost of present plans. We believe that current RTA and BMCC plans will promote dangerous traffic volumes through the town centre and a confusing and unsafe environment for pedestrians.
We do not believe that adequate provision has been made to ensure the safety of our community, particularly our school children, elderly and disabled residents and that plans for multiple construction sites within Lawson (officially predicted at between 5 to 20 years) will kill off our shops and sense of community. Under present plans Lawson faces huge risk and more and more waiting.
Lawson deserves better.
Lawson redevelopment - where has the money gone?
Council has so far spent $1.6m of the $3m provided by the RTA for the redevelopment of Lawson, without constructing a single thing. No report is publicly available on exactly how the money has been spent.
Has most of this money been blown on consultants’ fees? Whatever the case, Council now has only $1.4m left to complete the entire infrastructure project. Here’s an incomplete list of all the things this money has to cover: major site excavation, landscaping, car parks throughout the village, drainage, power and water relocation, footpaths, roads, signage, park benches, lighting, a community park, paved village square, service and public toilet facilities.
It is well documented that BMCC is in the middle of a financial crisis looking to cut costs wherever it can. The Blue Mountains Gazette’s August 31st front page article “Road To Ruin” noted Council’s severe financial plight due to incorrect estimates.
So where will it find the additional resources required to manage the construction of the entire new Lawson village, the largest and most complex project it has ever undertaken? And if this is to be a ‘budget makeover’ what sort of result can we expect? How long could we wait?
ACMMR has no confidence that BMCC will be able to meet its financial commitments to Lawson and, if this is the case, the redevelopment project will become painfully drawn out. With the RTA waiting on the BMCC to organise itself before the highway can be built and our shops and community continuing to languish in the middle of this potential mess, it would seem that
Lawson’s future is far from secure. ACMMR has always said that it is the linking of these two projects – the highway widening and the village redevelopment – that has always bogged down the process.
Until the RTA considers a way to widen the highway without depending on BMCC, plans for Lawson will continue to flounder. ACMMR’s alternative plan demonstrates that there is a quicker and better way.
The meeting of the Lawson Town Centre Advisory Group on 29th August heard that the RTA’s REF for Section Two is delayed while the RTA seeks permission to alter brickwork at the State Heritage Listed railway station. It can then provide a less steep ramp to the highway (an OH&S issue).
ACMMR maintains the crooked and unsafe underpass can and should be rebuilt entirely. This would help pave the way for implementation of ACMMR’s alternative plan.
DLEP – DRAFT LOCAL ENVIRONMENT PLAN
Gazettal of the DLEP is apparently in its final stages after a long wait due to a number of required modifications. Yet at this stage the DLEP does not include Heritage recommendations for Lawson because Council has consistently dragged its feet on this matter.
Once the DLEP gazettal takes place Heritage amendments will finally re-establish Lawson's heritage. However, this will leave Lawson in a conundrum: how will Council deal with the contradiction that the DLEP officially recognises and supposedly protects Lawson’s Heritage Conservation Precinct on the highway while the DCP entails its demolition?
COUNCIL’S TOPSY-TURVY WAYS
- Decision to demolish Lawson’s heritage made before heritage studies commissioned.
- Town Master Plan passed before Review of Environmental Factors and DLEP gazettal, and without reference to Heritage Assessment findings.
- Heatherbrae House property denoted as park on Master Plan, despite being sold to Coles-Myer.
- Developmental Control Plan likely to be passed before Review of Environmental Factors that determines legal boundaries.
- Review of Environmental Factors likely to be passed before Heritage Schedule amendments to DLEP.
What you can do:
Be interested and involved in a process that is far from over. Like ACMMR, demand transparency and accountability from those who are making the decisions about OUR village
Contact and join:-ACMMR, PO Box 54, Lawson 2783 or 02 4759 2647
Tell your concerns to:
BMCC: Michael Willis, General Manager, BMMC, Locked Bag 5, Katoomba, 2780
RTA: Ian Scott, Project Manager, Great Western Highway Upgrade Lawson, Level 2, 83 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown. NSW 2148
Minister for Roads: Hon. Joe Tripodi MP, Level 31 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Premier NSW: Hon. Morris Iemma MP, Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000
Baptist Church and Tahlia Moved
So why then has responsibility for the fate of Lawson’s most precious historic building, the Mechanics’ Institute, been handed over to Council? (Decision due mid 2006.) We sincerely hope that the RTA, having set such a worthy precedent, will have the courtesy to render the same treatment to this essential part of the Mountains’ history. After all, it is highway widening that threatens the Hall so why should Mountains’ ratepayers foot the bill? /p>
We know that Council is considering reclassifying the land so it could sell it for multi-unit housing (juggling its way out of financial crisis?). Is this what the community wants? Judging from the submissions to the hall’s incomplete Plan of Management, certainly not. Would tourists rather see multi-unit housing than heritage buildings? Not likely! So where did this crazy selfish idea come from?