Bunnings traffic plan just doesn’t cut it
Wednesday 13 October 2021
Inner West Council will pressure Bunnings to improve traffic arrangements at their new Tempe store.
The Tempe Bunnings superstore will be the biggest in Sydney and will see thousands of extra cars every week funnelled into narrow inner west streets.
Council’s traffic study showed negative impacts on 15 local streets and 1,400 cars a day down Union Street, right past Tempe Primary School.
One resident suggested Tempe school children will need to wear high-vis vests as they walk to and from school.
Another said traffic chaos was guaranteed and fatalities highly probable.
“Local residents have been campaigning strongly against this since the plans were first unveiled,” said Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous.
“And I don’t blame them. The current plan will see delivery trucks and thousands of cars using already choked local streets and endangering the lives of residents.
“Tempe children deserve to be able to walk to school safely,” Mayor Porteous said.
A narrow residential street will act as the main entrance for the 20,000sq m store next to Ikea on the Princes Highway. Both entering and exiting cars will be funnelled down residential streets.
At last night’s Council Meeting, Council voted unanimously to help fund a community campaign including advertisements in newspapers, social media and installing banners in high visibility locations.
Council will also write to Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes seeking approval for traffic signals on Princes Highway to provide controlled access to Bunnings.
All residents of Sydenham, Tempe and St Peters will be advised of Council’s advocacy and asked to lobby the NSW Government for a better outcome.
“The Inner West is home to some of the most successful and tenacious community activists anywhere,” said Mayor Porteous.
“I know that with their determination, and Council’s support, we will get the right result.
“Transport for New South Wales and Bunnings need to work together and fix this problem for the Tempe community,” Mayor Porteous said.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au