Comments on: Cities abhor a vacuum, so why create one? http://www.altmedia.net.au/cities-abhor-a-vacuum-so-why-create-one/8196 Your local news source Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:53:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Michael Gormly http://www.altmedia.net.au/cities-abhor-a-vacuum-so-why-create-one/8196#comment-602 Michael Gormly Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:36:54 +0000 http://www.altmedia.net.au/?p=8196#comment-602 Good points too, Russell. But the cbd metro is one baby that needs to be thrown out. Even if its big brother to Parramatta is built, it still means that countless billions the state does not have will be blown on routes that duplicate existing PT routes. That means there will be no money to build the routes we do need in Sydney, ie the north- and south-west heavy rail links, ideally in conjunction with whole-city transport plans such as those designed by Gary Glazebrook and Ron Christie. The current metro 'plan' leaves Sydney in the grip of the car and condemned to a future of ever more motorways, greenhouse pollution and congestion with its downward economic consequences. Transport should go where the development is, and the need for transport. For heaven's sake you can walk from Rozelle to Central and it's a snap on a bike. But seriously, how many need to travel that route? An extended light rail would do the job for a small fraction of the price. The Metro also means all train travellers from the west have to change at Central from where there is no room for their trains to back out for the return trip. This would effectively decommission the City Circle. Even apart from the damage to the city while they build it, the plan is a case of dumb and dumber and should be scrapped. Good points too, Russell. But the cbd metro is one baby that needs to be thrown out. Even if its big brother to Parramatta is built, it still means that countless billions the state does not have will be blown on routes that duplicate existing PT routes. That means there will be no money to build the routes we do need in Sydney, ie the north- and south-west heavy rail links, ideally in conjunction with whole-city transport plans such as those designed by Gary Glazebrook and Ron Christie.

The current metro ‘plan’ leaves Sydney in the grip of the car and condemned to a future of ever more motorways, greenhouse pollution and congestion with its downward economic consequences.

Transport should go where the development is, and the need for transport. For heaven’s sake you can walk from Rozelle to Central and it’s a snap on a bike. But seriously, how many need to travel that route? An extended light rail would do the job for a small fraction of the price. The Metro also means all train travellers from the west have to change at Central from where there is no room for their trains to back out for the return trip. This would effectively decommission the City Circle. Even apart from the damage to the city while they build it, the plan is a case of dumb and dumber and should be scrapped.

]]> By: Russell Edwards http://www.altmedia.net.au/cities-abhor-a-vacuum-so-why-create-one/8196#comment-601 Russell Edwards Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:36:40 +0000 http://www.altmedia.net.au/?p=8196#comment-601 Some good points Michael – especially about high lively cities function. I think politicians like big empty spaces like this forlorn “city square” because they see themselves addressing huge rallies there, all of their political supporters of course! I have been to such stirring functions, but not in Australia. The best was in La Paz, Bolivia, with 50,000 people and competing military bands playing discordant mariachi music, and multiple sound systems with politicians all speaking at once. It was amazing. But that’s not our culture. In Sydney the best we can manage (and it was pretty good) was the rally in Union square to protest the Metro station site today (July 4). There were about 500 people, all well behaved – except a couple of the politicians like Jamie Parker and Barry O’Farrell, determined to highjack the event. And the convener of course – who was guilty of at least one bad joke. But seriously, it was a successful rally. We can only pray for a positive outcome. One of the signature gatherers was at pains to point out me that they were NOT opposed to public transport or The Metro. Good, neither am I. She explained that my signature did not mean that I was endorsing the Liberal Party, the nay-sayers who oppose EVERYTHING and would take us back to the horse and cart like Sylvia Hale, or opportunists like the Mayor of Leichhardt. But there is confusion in the position City News is taking. With your continued opposition to the Metro, you are in danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Clover Moore is supporting it because she knows that once a more extensive system is operating, it will make the city and livelier, more vibrant and sustainable place. Just as the New York subway does to the city Jane Jacobs was writing about, all those years ago. Thats the city of our dreams. I hope its City News’ too. Some good points Michael – especially about high lively cities function. I think politicians like big empty spaces like this forlorn “city square” because they see themselves addressing huge rallies there, all of their political supporters of course!

I have been to such stirring functions, but not in Australia. The best was in La Paz, Bolivia, with 50,000 people and competing military bands playing discordant mariachi music, and multiple sound systems with politicians all speaking at once. It was amazing.

But that’s not our culture. In Sydney the best we can manage (and it was pretty good) was the rally in Union square to protest the Metro station site today (July 4). There were about 500 people, all well behaved – except a couple of the politicians like Jamie Parker and Barry O’Farrell, determined to highjack the event. And the convener of course – who was guilty of at least one bad joke.

But seriously, it was a successful rally. We can only pray for a positive outcome.

One of the signature gatherers was at pains to point out me that they were NOT opposed to public transport or The Metro. Good, neither am I. She explained that my signature did not mean that I was endorsing the Liberal Party, the nay-sayers who oppose EVERYTHING and would take us back to the horse and cart like Sylvia Hale, or opportunists like the Mayor of Leichhardt.

But there is confusion in the position City News is taking. With your continued opposition to the Metro, you are in danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Clover Moore is supporting it because she knows that once a more extensive system is operating, it will make the city and livelier, more vibrant and sustainable place. Just as the New York subway does to the city Jane Jacobs was writing about, all those years ago.

Thats the city of our dreams. I hope its City News’ too.

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