Re: News & Discussion: O-Bahn
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:58 am
From: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenge ... 6d914600f2Transport Minister Stephan Knoll rules out shops, apartments at Paradise O-Bahn interchange
The State Government has ruled out a controversial suggestion of shops and apartments at the Paradise O-Bahn interchange.
Transport Minister Stephan Knoll said a proposed $7.5 million park ‘n’ ride would be restricted to providing carparking for commuters.
Mr Knoll was responding to a call by Campbelltown Council member Sue Irvine for the new structure to include retail outlets, a cafe, apartments, a shared community working space and toilets.
Councillors attracted the ire of Paradise residents by voting to ask council chief executive Paul Di Iulio and mayor Jill Whittaker to seek a meeting with Mr Knoll to discuss broadening the park ‘n’ ride to include more features.
The decision to pursue Ms Irvine’s idea with Mr Knoll saw dozens of residents pack the public gallery at the most recent council meeting as representatives voiced their objections through three deputations.
Approached for comment, Mr Knoll told the NorthEastern Weekly the park ‘n’ ride would not be changed from the original concept promised by the Liberals before last year’s state election.
“The State Government does not support the proposal to put shops or apartments within the car park,” he said.
Mr Knoll said designs for the car park were being finalised, with the likelihood it would provide more than the 775 car spaces announced before last year’s state election.
Paradise residents have been calling for extra parking for years, with nearby streets and roads regularly congested by commuter parking and vehicle spillage from urban infill.
Construction of a car park at the O-Bahn interchange became a key election issue, with sitting Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia pledging it would be built as he fought off a challenge from former senator Nick Xenophon.
Mr Tarzia said he had been campaigning to have more parking at Paradise since 2012, when he first entered politics.
“Residents have been calling for more parks and this news will be to the benefit of residents and commuters when the project comes to fruition. It means we can get more cars off nearby residential streets.”
Mr Knoll said the exact number of carparking spaces would be finalised through the planning process, which was well-advanced.
“It’s exciting that it appears through the design process we are discovering that we will be able to deliver even more than the 775 car spaces than we first thought,” he said.
Mr Knoll expected concept designs would be released soon for public feedback.
The project would then be submitted to the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) with construction expected to start later this year depending on approvals.
A spokesman for residents, Kym Tilbrook, said they were pleased the park ‘n’ ride would be restricted to a carpark, which was much needed in the area.
“It’s a commonsense decision and good news for residents,” he said.
“Only yesterday I went for a walk and counted 437 cars parked on streets, on the bridge and behind the (Paradise) church.
“It’s great that the minister has listened to the residents, unlike most of the council.”
Meanwhile, construction work will start later this month on the installation of new traffic control measures outside the Dernancourt Shopping Centre on Lower North East Rd.
The $1.25 million upgrade includes traffic lights, a right turn lane, new kerbs and traffic islands and upgraded pedestrian access, bus stops and road lighting.
State Liberal MP for Morialta John Gardner said the upgrades — long called for by local councillor Robin Coleman — were vital to ensure community safety.
“This is a dangerous intersection which often results in major delays for drivers and we’ve had many residents and business owners calling for this upgrade,” he said.
