HCC Coat of Arms.jpg
City of hobart

 

 

 

 

AGENDA

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

 

Open Portion

 

Monday, 21 January 2019

 

at 4:55 pm

Lady Osborne Room, Town Hall


 

 

 

 

THE MISSION

Our mission is to ensure good governance of our capital City.

THE VALUES

The Council is:

 

about people

We value people – our community, our customers and colleagues.

professional

We take pride in our work.

enterprising

We look for ways to create value.

responsive

We’re accessible and focused on service.

inclusive

We respect diversity in people and ideas.

making a difference

We recognise that everything we do shapes Hobart’s future.

 

 


 

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 3

 

21/1/2019

 

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

 

Business listed on the agenda is to be conducted in the order in which it is set out, unless the committee by simple majority determines otherwise.

 

APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE

1.        Co-Option of a Committee Member in the event of a vacancy  4

2.        Indications of Pecuniary and Conflicts of Interest. 4

3.        Transfer of Agenda Items. 4

4.        Reports. 5

4.1     Melville Street - Footpath Closure. 5

 


 

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 4

 

21/1/2019

 

 

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting (Open Portion) held Monday, 21 January 2019 at 4:55 pm in the Lady Osborne Room, Town Hall.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Denison (Chairman)

Lord Mayor Reynolds

Zucco

Briscoe

Behrakis

 

NON-MEMBERS

Deputy Lord Mayor Burnet

Sexton

Thomas

Harvey

Dutta

Ewin

Sherlock

Apologies:

 

 

Leave of Absence:

 

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 5

 

21/1/2019

 

 

4.       Reports

 

4.1    Melville Street - Footpath Closure

          File Ref: F18/142759; RO/671

Report of the Manager Traffic Engineering and the Director City Infrastructure of 17 January 2019 and attachment.

Delegation:     Council


Item No. 4.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 6

 

21/1/2019

 

 

REPORT TITLE:                  Melville 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 Council for the issue of a licence that includes the closure of sections of the footpath on the southern side of Melville Street between Elizabeth Street and Argyle Street, Hobart to facilitate structural demolition, earthworks and construction of student accommodation at 40-42 and 44 Melville 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 relatively low volumes of pedestrians and an alternative footpath is available on the northern side of Melville 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 Melville Street from February 2019 until approximately August 2020 (approximately 19 months), to facilitate structural demolition, earthworks and construction of university accommodation at 40-42 and 44 Melville Street.

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 permit the temporary closure of sections of the southern footpath on Melville Street (between Elizabeth Street and Argyle Street) to facilitate development works at 40‑42 and 44 Melville 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:

(i)        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.     A ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ report (prepared by GHD Pty Ltd, included as Attachment A to this report) has been submitted as part of the condition endorsement process to address condition ENG tr2 on Planning Permit PLN-18-422 for the proposed university student accommodation complex at 40‑42 and 44 Melville Street.

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

4.5.     Melville Street (between Elizabeth Street and Argyle Street) is located within the CBD and the closure of the footpath would therefore, be contrary to the Council resolution of 12 October 2015.

4.6.     Based on the information provided in the ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ report, the developer is seeking to close the footpath (requiring pedestrians to cross to the northern side of Melville Street) for approximately 19 months, from February 2019 until August 2020.

4.7.     When the footpath is closed pedestrians walking along this section of Melville Street would be required to cross to the northern footpath.  Recent surveys undertaken at the Melville Street / Elizabeth Street intersection recorded approximately 65 pedestrians per hour along the Melville Street (southern) footpath during a weekday afternoon peak and traffic volumes were in the order of 500 vehicles per hour (equivalent to approximately 5,000 vehicles per day).

4.8.     It is considered that the northern footpath in Melville Street will have adequate capacity to handle the diverted pedestrian traffic.  The ‘Construction Traffic Management Plan’ report also recommends the inclusion of temporary kerb bulbings for a mid-block pedestrian crossing of Melville Street.

4.9.     The closure of the southern footpath in Melville Street (adjacent to 40‑42 and 44 Melville 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 Melville Street; and

(iii)     Melville Street carries relatively low volumes of traffic.  The additional pedestrian crossing will include temporary kerb bulbings and kerb ramps to ensure step‑free access across Melville Street.

4.10.   The closure of the footpath is required as there is a building on the Melville Street boundary that is to be demolished and a new building constructed in its place.  A gantry arrangement cannot be provided at this site due to the two existing street trees that need to be protected and maintained.  Allowing the footpath closure would ensure pedestrian safety and maintain separation between construction activities.

4.11.   While this footpath closure would be contrary to the position identified in the Council resolution of 12 October 2015, it is considered that the closure of the footpath in Melville Street is reasonable and can be supported.

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

4.12.1.  Occasional road closures in Melville Street on weekends to allow for tower crane construction and demobilisation.  Access to businesses and off‑street car parking will be maintained to and from Elizabeth Street under traffic control.

4.12.2.  Occasional closures of the laneway adjacent to the construction site will be required during business hours for works on the boundary or moving equipment within the lane.

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 Melville Street (adjacent to 40‑42 and 44 Melville Street) and the detouring of pedestrians to the northern footpath, to facilitate structural demolition, earthworks and construction works for the development of a new university student accommodation building at 40‑42 and 44 Melville 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.     No specific community or stakeholder engagement has been undertaken.

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 Melville 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 and thus this requires a decision of the Council.

 

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:                            17 January 2019

File Reference:          F18/142759; RO/671

 

 

Attachment a:             Construction Traffic Management Report by GHD Pty Ltd, dated 5 December 2018   


Item No. 4.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting - 21/1/2019

Page 11

ATTACHMENT a

 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator


 

PDF Creator

  


 

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 43

 

21/1/2019