Agenda of Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 4

6/8/2018

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting (Open Portion) held Monday, 6 August 2018 at 4:55 pm in the Lady Osborne Room, Town Hall.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Burnet (Chairman)

Lord Mayor Christie

Denison

Reynolds

Harvey

ALDERMEN

Deputy Lord Mayor Sexton

Zucco

Briscoe

Ruzicka

Cocker

Thomas

Apologies:

Leave of Absence: Nil.

1. Co-Option of a Committee Member in the event of a vacancy

2. Indications of Pecuniary and Conflicts of Interest

Ref: Part 2, Regulation 8(7) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

Aldermen are requested to indicate where they may have any pecuniary or conflict of interest in respect to any matter appearing on the agenda, or any supplementary item to the agenda, which the committee has resolved to deal with.

3. Transfer of Agenda Items

Regulation 15 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

A committee may close a part of a meeting to the public where a matter to be discussed falls within 15(2) of the above regulations.

In the event that the committee transfer an item to the closed portion, the reasons for doing so should be stated.

Are there any items which should be transferred from this agenda to the closed portion of the agenda, or from the closed to the open portion of the agenda?

Item No. 4.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 7

6/8/2018

REPORT TITLE: Watchorn Street - Footpath Closure

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Traffic Engineering

Director City Infrastructure

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report has been written to seek approval from the Committee and Council for the issue of a licence that includes the closure of sections of the footpath on the southern side of Watchorn Street between Liverpool Street and Bathurst Street, Hobart to facilitate excavation and construction works for “The Commons” at 126 Bathurst Street.

1.2. The closure of the footpath itself has no real community benefit. It will require pedestrians to cross to the northern footpath, which will be an inconvenience to some users. However, the footpath has low volumes of pedestrians and an alternative footpath is available on the northern side of Watchorn Street.

1.3. Typically the consideration of the issuing of licences to utilise parts of public highways to facilitate private construction is an operational matter that would be considered and determined by officers using existing delegations.

1.4. In this case, officers are of the view that the proposal is contrary to a current Council resolution, and while officers consider the proposal appropriate, the matter is being referred to Committee on that basis.

2. Report Summary

2.1. A request has been made to close the southern footpath of Watchorn Street for approximately 12 months to facilitate excavation and construction works at 126 Bathurst Street, Hobart.

2.2. On 12 October 2015, the Council resolved to modify the management of commercial furniture and infrastructure on public footpaths. As part of this resolution, limitations were placed on the approval of closures of footpaths for private construction works in the CBD and busy / high volume pedestrian streets.

2.3. After considering the application, and the impact it would have on pedestrians and adjacent premises, it is recommended that this application be supported.

3. Recommendation

That the General Manager be authorised to vary the Council position on the long term closure of footpaths to facilitate private construction, as detailed in the Council resolution of 12 October 2015, by permitting the closure of sections of the southern footpath on Watchorn Street (between Liverpool Street and Bathurst Street), and the detouring of pedestrians to the northern footpath, to facilitate excavation and construction works at 126 Bathurst Street, Hobart.

4. Background

4.1. At its meeting held on 12 October 2015, the Council considered a report on the future management of infrastructure on footpaths and resolved (inter alia) the following:

“That: 1. The General Manager be authorised to modify the management of commercial furniture and infrastructure on public footpaths towards a best practice model approach, where such furniture and signage is only permitted if it does not interfere with the safe and equitable movement of pedestrians along that public footpath, specifically:

(ii) Occupation of the footpath during weekdays (7am to 7pm) for the purpose of private construction activity on adjacent land, not be approved in CBD locations (as defined in the Highways By-law 3 of 2008) or on busy urban and high volume streets, unless a suitable detour is provided that does not require pedestrians to cross the road.”

4.2. The purpose of the resolution was to discourage the long term closure of busy pedestrian footpaths for private construction activities, as these closures can significantly inconvenience pedestrians by requiring them to cross streets, and can also disadvantage commercial businesses who see significant reductions in pedestrian traffic.

4.3. Mr Allistair Lindsay (Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager) is acting on behalf of Small Giants Developments who are developing “The Commons” residential apartments at 126 Bathurst Street (on the corner of Bathurst Street and Watchorn Street). On 24 July 2018 Mr Lindsay sent an email requesting that the southern footpath in Watchorn Street (between Liverpool Street and Bathurst Street) be closed to facilitate excavation and construction works at 126 Bathurst Street (refer Attachment A to this report).

4.4. No formal application has yet been received for the required permits to allow the private occupation of parts of the Bathurst Street and Watchorn Street highway reservations along the frontage of the site.

4.5. Watchorn Street (between Liverpool Street and Bathurst Street) is located within the CBD and the closure of the footpath would therefore be considered to be contrary to the Council resolution of 12 October 2015.

4.6. The Commons Hobart Pty Ltd has provided a ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ report (prepared by GHD Pty Ltd, included as Attachment B to this report) detailing the traffic management arrangements required to facilitate construction at 126 Bathurst Street.

4.7. Based on the information provided, the developer is seeking to close the footpath (requiring pedestrians to cross to the northern side of Watchorn Street) for approximately 12 months, from mid‑August 2018 until July 2019.

4.8. There are a number of commercial buildings and off‑street carparks located in Watchorn Street. In early July 2018 the developer met with adjacent landowners and tenants to discuss the proposed construction methodology. City officers are not aware of any concerns or objections raised at that meeting in relation to the proposed footpath closure.

4.9. At those times that the footpath is closed, pedestrians walking along this section of Watchorn Street would be required to cross to the northern footpath. Watchorn Street is observed to carry low volumes of pedestrians and traffic volumes are estimated to be in the order of 900 veh/day.

4.10. In the ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ report indicates that the Watchorn Street footpaths are 2.6 m wide, with the northern footpath having adequate capacity to handle the diverted pedestrian traffic.

4.11. The closure of the southern footpath in Watchorn Street (adjacent to 126 Bathurst Street) is considered reasonable, and can be supported for the following reasons:

(i) There will be no active frontage properties that would be significantly impacted by the footpath closure.

(ii) The proposed detour of pedestrians to the northern footpath does not result in an unreasonable increased walking distance along Watchorn Street.

(iii) Watchorn Street carries relatively low volumes or traffic in a low‑speed environment. The additional pedestrian crossings will include temporary kerb ramps to ensure step‑free access across Watchorn Street.

4.12. The building to be constructed will have external decks built over and above the existing footpaths requiring overhead works. Allowing the footpath closure would ensure pedestrian safety and maintain separation between construction activities.

4.13. While this footpath closure would be contrary to the position identified in the Council resolution of October 2015, it is considered that the closure of the footpath in Watchorn Street is reasonable and can be supported.

4.14. Other construction stages will require other traffic management arrangements, including:

4.14.1. Occasional road closures in Watchorn Street to allow for tower crane construction and demobilisation, concrete pours and crane activity. Access to businesses and off‑street car parking will be maintained to and from Liverpool Street under traffic control.

4.14.2. Occupation of the Bathurst Street footpath and a pedestrian detour via the parking lane.

4.15. Permits for these activities can be issued under the current officer delegations.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed to permit the closure of the southern footpath in Watchorn Street (adjacent to 126 Bathurst Street) and the detouring of pedestrians to the northern footpath, to facilitate excavation and construction works for “The Commons” residential development at 126 Bathurst Street.

5.2. This is a deviation from the Council resolution of 12 October 2015 to not approve the closure of footpaths to facilitate private construction works in the CBD and on busy urban and high volume pedestrian streets.

5.3. If the Council endorses this position, officers will work with the developer (and/or their representatives) to finalise the application, and issue the necessary permits utilising existing delegations.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The Capital City Strategic Plan 2015 - 2025 Goal 2 – Urban Management is relevant in considering this report, particularly:

Strategic Objective 2.1 - A fully accessible and connected city environment; and

2.1.2 Enhance transport connections within Hobart.

Strategic Objective 2.2 - A people-focussed city with well-designed and well managed urban and recreation spaces; and

2.2.5 Increase and improve connectivity throughout the inner city.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. All costs associated with implementing the traffic management to facilitate the proposed works are to be borne by the applicant. The approved fees and charges rates for ‘Occupation of Public Highway – Long Term Construction’ and recovery of revenue from closed metered parking spaces will be charged to the applicant.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. None are foreseen.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. None are foreseen.

8. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

8.1. There are a number of commercial buildings and off‑street carparks located in Watchorn Street. In early July 2018 the developer met with adjacent landowners and tenants to discuss the proposed construction methodology. City officers are not aware of any concerns or objections raised at that meeting in relation to the proposed footpath closure.

9. Delegation

9.1. The Manager Traffic Engineering and all positions to which that position reports have delegation to issue licences for the occupation of parts of the highway reservation to facilitate private construction.

9.2. This proposal (to close the footpath on the southern side of Watchorn Street) is contrary to the Council’s resolution of 12 October 2015, in which the Council resolved that the full closure of footpaths not be permitted.

9.3. Officers are therefore not able to issue a licence for this proposed occupation without a Council resolution.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Angela Moore

Manager Traffic Engineering

Mark Painter

Director City Infrastructure

Date: 3 August 2018

File Reference: F18/87703; RO/905

Attachment a: Email from Mr Allistair Lindsay, dated 24 July 2018 ⇩

Attachment b: Construction Traffic Management Plan, GHD Pty Ltd, dated 2 August 2018 ⇩

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