More buses and less parking

The expansion of Leichhardt Bus Depot has raised fears over a lack of parking and noise exascerbation.

As the largest depot in the Southern Hemisphere, Leichhardt Bus Depot is slated for an expansion that will increase its size by 40 per cent.

Leichhardt Greens Councillor Rochelle Porteous said the expansion will cause a number of significant problems for residents.

“The bus depot expansion is an over-intensification of the site which will create significant stress on available parking in residential streets,” she said.

“There are also a number of unresolved issues which are likely to become worse. These include buses speeding, buses parking in residential streets, double parking, locking up and leaving their motor running, increases in traffic congestion and greater public safety risks.”

Mark Peters, General Manager of Leichhardt Bus Depot, attended the last Leichhardt precinct meeting where the concerns of residents were raised.

Leichhardt resident Jennifer Aaron said she was pleased with the meeting and that Mr Peters was previously unaware of the concerns of residents.

“We have the PA systems blasting into residents houses at all times of the day, and buses coming in after hours or ignoring specific path routes. Mark [Peters] said that he wants to establish a good neighbour policy and will have an ongoing relationship with us,” she said.

According to an assessment made of the original Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) proposal by Leichhardt Council, there would have been a shortfall of 40 parking spaces. However, the proposal was later amended to include 40 more spaces.

A spokesperson for Leichhardt Council said due to the amendment, there is unlikely to be a profound impact from the expansion.

“Concerns were raised with the management and access to these parking spaces to the majority of them is via the central bus parking area,” the spokesperson said.

“However, if the parking is utilised efficiently there should be minimal impacts.”

At the March 20 Leichhardt Council meeting, the NSW Government JRPP agreed to expand the depot on Balmain Rd. The expansion will mean that an extra 81 bus parking spots are created, while 92 extra staff will also be employed.

A spokesperson for the State Transit Authority (STA) that runs Leichhardt Depot dismissed concerns about potential negative effects of the expansion.

“With more people catching buses in the inner west, the demand for public transport is increasing. The approval of this application for Leichhardt Bus Depot will benefit the community by providing an expanded bus fleet,” the spokesperson said.

Concern over the community consultation process was also raised regarding parking and amenity.

Council and the STA held various consultations about the bus depot expansion. Council sent 2,200 letters to nearby potentially affected properties, and organised a public information evening on July 16 last year where residents were able to question the STA.

However, the consultation has seemingly failed to the quell the concern of local residents. Leichhardt resident Linda Larsen said the expansion will compound noise problems.

“The houses nearby the bus depot are already under the flight path so there will be even more noise,” she said.