Newcastle Labor moves to expedite pedestrian improvements across Newcastle

A more efficient approach to delivering key pedestrian and active transport infrastructure is at the heart of an initiative that Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Cr Carol Duncan and Newcastle Labor Councillors are set present to City of Newcastle Council on Tuesday night.

Following feedback from the community regarding the need for new and improved pedestrian crossings in Newcastle, Mayfield, Cooks Hill, Hamilton North and Merewether, the Deputy Lord Mayor's proposal will see the development of a streamlined Newcastle Local Pedestrian Crossing Policy, which would allow City of Newcastle to approve and implement selected pedestrian works without seeking approval from the NSW Government’s Transport for NSW or the TfNSW controlled Local Traffic Committee.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that reducing the number of approval hurdles for pedestrian safety infrastructure improvements would streamline the process for constructing pedestrian crossings, refuges, kerb improvements for tree planting and kerb buildouts to reduce intersection crossing distance and manage vehicle speeds.

"I've been contacted by local residents, School P&Cs and community groups who have been calling for pedestrian crossing improvements in a number of busy locations across the city, but we've often been hamstrung by bureaucratic red-tape which can leave the local community feeling frustrated," the Deputy Lord Mayor said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with local students Zac and Isabella

"I want to see pedestrian improvements that have been identified in collaboration between City of Newcastle and the community delivered as fast and as efficiently as possible, and I welcome recognition from Transport for NSW that local councils should be able to exercise their understanding of local needs to deliver these key pedestrian improvements."

"Under this new proposed policy, City of Newcastle would implement the appropriate designs according to industry standards, specification and technical directions, while adhering to the appropriate Australian Standard and Austroads Guidelines."
"This new policy will allow City of Newcastle to move quickly when a new opportunity for an improved pedestrian crossing connection or active transport link is identified by the community, and cut down on the approval times it takes to deliver improved safety outcomes for Novocastrians."
The Deputy Lord Mayor said that implementing a new streamlined policy would also help illuminate further opportunities to improve pedestrian safety throughout Newcastle.

"Through the development of this policy, I know that City of Newcastle staff will welcome community input into other key locations across Newcastle which are in need of improved pedestrian safety infrastructure such as crossings and refuges, and I will ensure that we provide an opportunity for community feedback and suggestions for locations for improved pedestrian crossing connections across the entire Newcastle local government area.”