RTA declares war on Bondi residents

The RTA’s clearway has forced the many residents of Bondi Road without garages to find parking away from their own street. With virtually the whole area parked out by beachgoers on summer weekends, this can mean a drive to neighbouring suburbs and a bus ride home.

Tow trucks contracted by the RTA patrol Bondi Road for the four hours of the enforced clearway, removing cars left on the south side to a distant holding yard.  Waverley Council unanimously opposed the measure and its parking rangers have been instructed to play no part in the operation.

Shops along Bondi Road appeared less busy last Saturday afternoon.  The normally bustling supermarket was quieter than usual as was the nearby fruit shop.

Bondi Chamber of Commerce spokesman Max Siano said trade was down from pre-clearway days and shopkeepers wonder if their customers will return when the summer restrictions end.

He said the introduction of the clearway was unnecessary as the RTA had alternative measures available to address traffic congestion and bus travel times.

One reason for the weekend traffic jam along the strip is that cars are directed down Bondi Road from Syd  Einfeld Drive by the RTA’s own signs. Having accessed the beach from Bondi Road, surfers from outside the area are unaware of other routes.  Mr Siano suggested express buses using alternative routes, a practice that worked successfully on busy beach days in the past.

Mr Siano also revealed that a possible solution had been found but unforeseen political developments prevented its implementation. Coogee MP Paul Pearce, who has been working with the Chamber on the issue, proposed a reduction of the RTA clearway from four hours to two. The Chamber regarded this as an improvement and Roads Minister Tony Campbell also saw merit in it. But it seems a mere Minister for Roads cannot shift the all-powerful RTA bureaucracy. Only a Premier can budge the RTA so Mr Pearce sought and won support from then Premier Nathan Rees.

The rest is history:  it seems an article of faith for the Obeid/Tripodi faction that major bureaucracies should be left to run their departments free from interference by the people’s elected representatives.

Months of effort by Mr Pearce and the Chamber have come to nothing.  The Colossus of Roads has won again, much to the detriment of residents and their local shops.

– BY PETER McCALLUM