THE RMS has extended the period for community comment on its electronic sign proposed for March Street, Richmond, with a slightly different location.
However Council is not on board with the proposal, telling the Gazette “the sign would be best located away from the park and its curtilage”.
The variable message sign was originally proposed to be planted in a garden bed next to the carpark at Richmond Park, near the back of the School of Arts (artist’s impression of sign in this location above).
However councillors in November last year voted against the RMS pursuing that location as it was on Council-owned land, in a heritage location.
Council’s director of infrastructure services Jeff Organ said the RMS had now advised them they would proceed with the project, but with the post for the sign now in the nature strip on March Street instead.
Mr Organ said the RMS did not need Council’s permission to do that.
“Council will make a submission indicating its opposition to the proposal, based on its visual impact on the park and seeking a more detailed analysis of alternate locations for public comment,” Mr Organ said on Friday.
“Council has also raised concerns over the notification process and timeframes with RMS.”
An RMS spokesperson said the Office of Environment and Heritage had advised it there would be “no adverse impact on the heritage significance of the park”.
The sign will be remotely controlled by 24-hour traffic monitors to give updates to drivers travelling west of any problems ahead on Bells Line of Road such as an accident or tree down.
The RMS said it placed the signs at “key journey decision points” so it could provide “real-time updates” to drivers to enable them to avoid hazards or delays up ahead.
To have your say on the sign’s location, email nsw_projects@downermouchel.com by March 31. You can also post your comments to:
DownerMouchel, Proposed sign March Street Richmond, PO Box 6465, North Ryde NSW 2113.
