Community, Sport, Events and Cultural Services Committee 14 October 2020

COMMUNITY, SPORT, EVENTS AND CULTURAL SERVICES COMMITTEE 4 14 OCTOBER 2020

ENDORSEMENT OF GORDONVALE PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS

Kristy Ghelfa | 52/8/1-01 | #6473724

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Council:

1. Endorses the Department of Transport and Main Road’s proposal for the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass; 2. Provides In Principle Agreement for the use of Council land adjacent to Charlton Street and within the Alley Park (west) Sporting Master Plan for the proposed footpath connections into the existing Active Transport Network subject to detailed design; 3. Notes that the impact on the Alley Park (west) Sporting Master Plan prompts a revision of the plan to occur in the 2021/2022 financial year; 4. Defers consideration of the Department of Transport and Main Road’s request to take ownership of footpath ramps leading to the overpass structure until further detailed design is complete and clarity regarding the LGAQ Cost Sharing Arrangement can be established; and 5. Delegates authority to the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2009 to negotiate and finalise any matters relating to the In Principle Agreements for the proposed Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass and/or footpath ramps.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has commenced early works for the $481M Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale (E2G) project.

A crucial component of the E2G project is a pedestrian overpass to provide connectivity for the Gordonvale community across highway and as such, TMR have sought support and endorsement of the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass In Principle Agreement for:

1. The proposed pedestrian overpass, including use of the existing land adjacent to Charlton Street and within lot 175 on SP306396 (part of the Alley Park [west] Master Plan); and 2. Council to assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the ‘footpath ramps’ leading into the overpass structure.

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Officers recommend that Council supports the proposed pedestrian overpass, including use of the land on both sides of the State Controlled Road but recommend Council defers assuming responsibility for the footpath ramps due to a lack of clarity regarding the specifics of the structure at concept stage.

The impact on Alley Park (west) prompts a revision of the Master Plan that officers propose occurs in the 2021/22 financial year.

BACKGROUND:

TMR has commenced early works for the $481M Bruce Highway – Cairns Southern Access Corridor E2G project. This project will see approximately ten kilometres of the Bruce Highway duplicated to four lanes, from Edmonton to Gordonvale. The project will deliver a total transport solution and long-term improvements to traffic flow and road safety by reducing congestion, reducing highway travel time and improving safe access to the highway.

TMR have met with Council officers in developing their concept design for the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass (refer Attachment 1) which provides a crucial pedestrian link for residents on the western side of the Bruce Highway into the centre of the town. TMR have refined their concept plan and have presented a proposed location for the structure that impacts two significant master plans on Council land: Alley Park (west) and Kenrick Street Park.

Strategic Leisure Group undertook a review of the former Alley Park Master Plan in 2014 and a revised master plan was adopted by Council. Stages 1 and 2 of the plans have since been completed with Stage 3 (Alley Park West – refer Attachment 2) remaining. The timing of TMR’s project (due to be completed in mid 2023) has accelerated the need for the master plan to be reviewed to consider how an allowance for the overpass structure and associated shared paths can be incorporated into the sporting precinct.

The Kenrick Street Park Improvement Plan (visioning document – refer Attachment 3) was endorsed by Council in 2019 and officers have since commenced the preliminary design. Consultation with TMR has occurred to ensure all three projects achieve the best outcome for the community given their critical links to each other.

COMMENT:

The proposed location of the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass has been considered and is supported by Council officers. With preliminary design underway for the Kenrick Street Park Improvement Plan in tandem with TMR’s design process, it is recommended that Council prepares to review the Alley Park (west) Master Plan to ensure a holistic and integrated planning exercise is undertaken for these important attractors.

TMR also requested that Council gives In Principle Agreement to accepting ownership and maintenance responsibility for the footpath ramps leading to the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass. Officers clarified with TMR that ‘footpath ramps’ are defined as ‘embankment and approach slab that connects into the abutments’ however, as the structure is in a conceptual design phase, there is an inadequate level of detail for Council to ascertain if this an acceptable level of responsibility for a local government.

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LGAQ’s TMR/Local Government Cost Sharing Arrangement generally deals with cost sharing arrangements and responsibilities for infrastructure in road networks however, it does not consider this specific scenario explicitly. Council and TMR will continue to work within the framework and guidelines of the Cost Sharing Arrangement to achieve an acceptable outcome for both parties.

The recommendations of this report represent good outcomes in achieving the ultimate network as per Council’s Active Transport Strategy.

OPTIONS:

Option 1: (Recommended):

It is recommended that Council:

Option 2:

It is recommended that Council does not endorse the Department of Transport and Main Roads proposal for the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass and advises an alternative course of action.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Risk Management:

Council officers have engaged with TMR regularly in relation to the location of the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass and more broadly on the Cairns Southern Access Corridor E2G project. Giving In Principle Agreement to TMR is a low risk activity for Council as the construction project is fully funded by TMR but it does still represent an implied agreement. Officers have reviewed the concept plan and taken into consideration current and future planning for the area and conclude that the proposed location represents value for money.

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TMR will continue to consult with Council as preliminary and detailed design is undertaken with the proposed construction of the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass due in 2023.

Council Finance and the Local Economy:

The recommendation of this report will require an allocation in the 2021/22 capital budget to engage a suitably qualified consultant to review the Alley Park Master Plan to ensure the E2G project can be fully realised.

As per the LGAQ Cost Sharing Arrangement between TMR and Local Governments, the ongoing responsibility and maintenance of the pedestrian pathways linking to the proposed bridge will rest with Council and will need to be considered in future operational budget provisioning. Maintenance of the bridge structure is a TMR responsibility.

CONSULTATION:

TMR are responsible for community consultation regarding the Cairns Southern Access Corridor: Edmonton to Gordonvale (including the Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass) project.

Council has conducted extensive community consultation on both the Kenrick Street Park Improvement Plan and the Alley Park Master Plan and will continue to consult in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1 – Concept map of proposed Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass Attachment 2 – Alley Park Master Plan

Brett Spencer Manager Community Development

Linda Kirchner General Manager Community, Sport and Cultural Services

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Attachment 1 – Concept map of proposed Gordonvale Pedestrian Overpass

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Attachment 2 – Alley Park Master Plan

Agenda – Community, Sport, Events and Cultural Services Committee – 14 October 2020 - #6486652