16 April 2013
The announcement by Roads Minister, Duncan Gay that the WestConnex will be constructed as a tunnel rather than the previous 10 lane expressway on ground is good news for urban renewal, says the Urban Taskforce.
“We were always very concerned about the proposal for a slot down the middle of Parramatta road with 6 lanes of motorway traffic with another two lanes on either side, said Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson. “This is not the way to create a pleasant urban environment that encourages urban renewal.”
“The tunnel approach means traffic can still flow during construction and Parramatta Road can become a real boulevard with 6 to 8 storey apartments with shops below lining the street. This will allow taller buildings set back from the road.”
“What is now needed to get urban renewal going is an urban renewal authority that organises the 8 councils along the route to support new development. The Urban Taskforce believes 100,000 new apartments and 100,000 new jobs can be accommodated in a new approach to urban zoning that encourages mixed uses.”
“The Parramatta Road corridor urban renewal area has been nominated as a ‘city shaper’ in the Metropolitan Strategy and it needs to be driven by an urban renewal authority with vision and commitment to outcomes.”