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DECEMBER 6 2013 ISSUE 1132
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT CIRCULATION: 59,400
THE HEARTBEAT OF PENRITH
CLINIC MUST GO There are plenty of great changes about to happen in St Marys, but the methadone clinic is still proving to be a challenge according to St Marys shop owner Steve Perry. Chairperson of the newly reformed St Marys Town Centre Limited, the organisation charged with the management and improvement of St Marys, Mr Perry said a number of great initiatives are in the pipeline to attract visitors to Queen Street.
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Bridge backlash Michael Patterson, Cr Jim Aitken, Cr Marcus Cornish, Robin McKay and Cr Kevin Crameri inspect Victoria Bridge. Photo: Melinda Jane.
NRL DRAW Panthers to open season on March 8 PAGES 78-79
Residents up in arms as river crossing debate flares CASSANDRA O CONNOR
design, however, after unrest about the impact on rowing along the Nepean River, Penrith City Council voted for a Ki Studio design that was never distributed to the public as an option. In April 2013, the RMS endorsed the Ki Studio design. Emu Plains resident, Eileen Ross, said she does not like the current bridge design. “I originally voted for the ‘S’ Bridge, and never had an opportunity to comment on the bridge that is being presented to us now,” she said. “If a pedestrian bridge has to be built is should be next to Victoria Bridge.” Penrith Councillor Jim Aitken said that he had “no confidence” in the RMS. Story continues on Page Six
CUP NIGHT Racing calendar’s biggest event PAGE 80 Lic No. 102962C
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t was labelled the “do nothing” option by none other than the Roads and Maritime Services when the idea of a pedestrian crossing over the Nepean River was originally floated in 1991. And despite ongoing complaints from local residents about design and location elements, the State Government is adamant that the Nepean River Green Bridge will go ahead as planned. On June 29, 2012, Transport for NSW released an independent report by AECOM on six different locations for the pedestrian bridge. Residents were given the two weeks over the school
holiday period, from July 4 to 17, to comment on the location options and Transport for NSW confi rmed to the Weekender that nine submissions were received. Emu Plains resident, Michael Patterson, attended a workshop held by AECOM on the bridge locations in April 2011 and said that whilst options were presented to attendees, the bridge alignment appeared to be predetermined. “They presented us with three options, but residents had to agree with their preferred option [of Punt Road and Old Ferry Road] because the others were absurd. They did not want to consider an alignment next to the bridge,” he said. Residents were then given four weeks to express their views about the Nepean River Green Bridge’s
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