Opus International Consultants (NSW) Pty Ltd - Transport for NSW ...

Mount Druitt Commuter Car ParkReview of Environmental FactorsImplement government policies aimed at easing congestion on the roads and encouragingthe use of public transport;Provide capacity to support the anticipated demand that will be generated by futuredevelopment growth in the area; andProvide the capacity to support the current high level of demand for designated commutercar parks that are conveniently located, secure and accessible.Options consideredA scoping study for potential commuter car parking sites identified four potential sites within 300metres of Mount Druitt Railway Station (TCA, 2010). All options are in close proximity to thestation and have similar features.The preferred site option for Mount Druitt Commuter Car Park is site option 3 located on thecorner of Mount Street and North Parade. The site is currently disused and offers the greatestflexibility in terms of space utilisation and is also available for development.An assessment on the existing structure at the preferred option was undertaken to determinethe potential re-use and/or incorporation into the proposed redevelopment (Opus, 2010). It wasfound that retaining the existing structure would impose critical limitations on the proposed carpark in terms of layout and number of spaces. Another contributory reason for not reusing theexisting structure is the structural inadequacy of the existing structure to sustain additional floorsshould they be required in the future. A completely new structure would offer the opportunity tooptimise the layout and meet passive surveillance, ventilation and other criteria more effectively.The ‗do nothing‘ option was discounted as it fails to address existing and future car park demandand would not encourage greater use of public transport.Statutory and planning frameworkThe Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) establishes the system ofenvironmental planning and assessment in NSW. Part 5 of the Act specifies the environmentalimpact assessment requirements for activities undertaken by public authorities which arepermissible without development consent under Part 4.State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 is the key environmental planninginstrument applicable to the proposed development. Clause 79 of the Infrastructure SEPP allowsfor the development of ‗rail infrastructure facilities by or on behalf of a public authority withoutconsent on any land‘. Clause 5 defines ‗rail infrastructure facilities‘ as including ‗car parksintended to be used by commuters‘.As TCA is a public authority and the proposed development falls within the definition of railinfrastructure facilities, the Proposal is permissible without consent. Consequently it may beassessed and determined by TCA under Part 5 of the EP&A Act.A Review of Environmental Factors (REF), this document, has been prepared to assess theconstruction and operational environmental impacts of the Proposal. The REF has been preparedin accordance with Clause 228 of the Environment Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.Figure A illustrates the planning approvals process for the Commuter Car Park and InterchangeProgram.KMH-2010123a REF Rev 4 doc Page vi of 116Status: Final