Pittwater Life November 2017 Issue

Editorial
Will we ever give Bs a chance?
Last month we reported
local Minister Rob Stokes’
frustration at misinformation
about the B-Line service
being spread throughout the
community and the wariness
of opponents to accept the
government’s word on its
planning.
Well, nothing’s changed.
Which is a shame given the cash
the government is spending
trying to consult with residents.
A rally at Newport Beach Surf
Club in late October saw the fire
of opposition stoked further. A
Newport Residents Association
petition garnered more than
500 signatures; those who
signed it pledged to withhold
support for the extension of
the B-Line from Mona Vale
to Newport until a “fully
developed and researched plan”
is submitted for consideration.
There’s hope then; that
appears to allow room for
anyone currently opposed to the
B-Line heading to Newport to
change their opinion.
It won’t be the major
community and residents
groups north of Newport
though; they remain steadfast
in their opposition to the B-Line
heading north of Mona Vale.
It appears Newport residents
may be more flexible – but
they’ll need to be convinced
their village won’t be “slashed
and burned” in the process.
The government’s preferred
position – a roundabout at
Neptune Road with no incursion
into the surf club car park
and no loss of trees – seems a
good starting point for a “fully
developed and researched plan”.
(Yes the netball court will go
but new ones have already been
sited and funded – see p18.)
Will a bus entering a
roundabout every 10 minutes
add a pinchpoint to southbound
traffic during peak periods, if
synchronised with an existing
set of traffic lights 150 metres
south? We’ll leave that to the
experts. But it’s guaranteed not
all will agree! – Nigel Wall
The Local Voice Since 1991
NOVEMBER 2017 3