SOPBiz-Special Edition-July 07

SOPA and Parsons Brinckerhoff

In addition to SOPA and Parsons Brinckerhoff, RTA had committed their involvement SOPA to be part of the panel and answer those questions outside of the control of SOPA. This person then pulled out days before the event.

Despite further attempts by SOPA at a higher level within the RTA to have someone attend, RTA did not supply anyone, nor give a reason for their actions.

This was disappointing and somewhat frustrating.

Whilst SOPA were able to present the reponses provided by RTA to member's questions, there was no opportunity for them to consult with the local park community and hear first hand the concerns of park businesses or further clarify issues.

This matter is being taken up by SOPBA with the RTA .

The Panel members who kindly gave up their time and presented to SOPBA were:

David Young - Director of SOPA , Chief Operating Officer and Place Manager

David has executive coverage of SOPA's day to day place management and place making activities-including the staging major events; managing it's assets; presenting the site; providing visitor services; controlling development; and delivering major projects.

Prior to joining the former Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA) as Director of Estate Management in 1999, David completed more than 15 years service in various executive and senior management positions with leading Local Government agencies in both Victoria and New South Wales.

With OCA David's role involved operational and asset management control of the Olympic Estate in Western Sydney-including four satellite games venues in addition to Sydney Olympic Park.

During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, David led the 'Site Management' group for Sydney Olympic Park and was awarded the Olympic Certificate of Merit from the IOC in recognition of services rendered to the Olympic Movement for the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in Sydney


John Ferguson - Executive Manager Precinct Coordination

John is responsible for the strategic, technical, coordination and regulatory aspects of precinct operations at Sydney Olympic Park. These functions carry across the precinct in both event mode and day to day operations. John was appointed to his role at SOPA in 2001, and prior to that was the Operations Manager at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre and WIN Stadium for three years.

Graeme Steverson - Senior Transport Planner - Parsons Brinckerhoff

PB is one of the world's leading planning, environmental, engineering, and program and project management firms, employing over 10,000 people worldwide.

In Australia PB has been working on infrastructure and environmental projects for more than 40 years. Their core capabilities are in design, planning and management . They are experienced in various financing arrangements- including PPPs, alliances and design-build-finance.

They have been engaged by SOPA to work on projects such as Vision 2025.

Image from left: David Young, Graeme Steverson and John Ferguson

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Rail and Bus Schedules

Frequency of the Lidcombe Station shuttle?

-Currently operating on a 20 Minute frequency Monday to Fridays between the hours of 07:00 and 23:59

-Weekend Services however operate on a 10 minute frequency from 07:10 to 22:10 and then at 20 minute intervals up until 23:59.

-SOPA has lobbied Railcorp for a reinstatement of the 10 minute Weekday frequency-they have undertaken to review as part of the next major timetable review targeted for the second half of 2008

When do the new bus services start?

-4 new public bus services are programmed to start in late August 2007 - the date for the first CBA workers arriving at SOP. These bus services will be for everyone, not just CBA employees.

-The new peak hour services include:
1.Chatswood to SOP - 15 Minutes Frequency (extended 534 Route)
2.Hurstville to SOP - 15 Minute Frequency (extended 450 Route)
3.Strathfield to SOP- 10 Minute Frequency (525 Route)
4.Lidcombe Station service to SOP - 20 Minute Frequency (ie 401 route)

-The new services are being jointly funded by the CBA and SOPA for 3 years- after this time it is envisaged that they will become mainstream Ministry of Transport (MOT) services.

There needs to be one direct rail and or bus service in the morning and afternoon peak periods between the Park and Central Station for full time employees?

-Direct rail services run only during off peak periods Monday to Friday. There are four (4) of these services each day.

-There are currently no direct bus services from the City to the precinct. Trains are much more efficient in terms of travel time and reliability than buses on routes from the CBD.

-Direct Peak Hour rail service opportunities are limited due to physical and operational constraints with getting the SOP service 'timetable slots' across the busy Western Line.

-Direct rail services during the AM and PM peaks will ultimately be determined by a strong business case. The case needs to be put by the whole SOP community, not just by SOPA.

What is the latest on the long term plan to develop Sydney Olympic Park Station as a main line stop, negating the need for a Lidcombe inter-change?

-There is a concept proposal for a Metro Rail (Very Fast Train) running from Penrith to the Sydney CBD. This potential project is currently being considered by the NSW Government and forms part of its proposed NSW Major Infrastructure Program. The Premier has indicated that a timetable for the Program will be announced later
this year.

-The proposed Metro Rail will have a separate rail line; limited stops; high frequency (and therefore no timetable)service.

-Possible stops for the VFT include Penrith; Blacktown; Parramatta; SOP; Strathfield; Sydney CBD

-Opportunity to stop at SOP Station given long-term population size and major event demand.

-Investigations to reserve land beneath Olympic Park Station for new platforms for Metro Rail has already commenced by SOPA.

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Parking Options and Staff Safety

Monthly parking deals are not practical for casual employees who do not work a full work to make the current rate cost effective. Is there an option for them as it is difficult attracting and keeping casual staff both with the lack of public transport to get home and the cost of parking?

-To cater for full-time employees at SOP, SOPA has made parking available in a number of structured car parks at a discount rate. SOPA offers a monthly parking rate of $95, which equates to less than $4.75 per day and represents a 68% discount off the casual rate of $15 per day.

-A special Student Parking rate of $75 per month has been available for some years now to encourage students to seek off street parking. This represents a further 20% discount on the standard monthly rate.

-To cater for casual employees at SOP during major events, SOPA currently offers a discount daily rate for the employees of major venues only, usually in P5 car park. There are currently no discount rates for casual employees outside major event periods.

As the use of private vehicles is required by many employees working in the park due to the lack of suitable public transport options, they are requesting better parking deals during the week on non-match days utilising the many car parks that lie empty on these days.

-SOPA recognises that there are special considerations for casual employees in relation to paying for parking. This is a complex issue that required further analysis and SOPA will work with SOPBA to try and find suitable arrangements.

-In relation to the current arrangements for full-time staff, SOPA considers the current discount monthly rates, along with the nominated parking locations, to be fair and reasonable.

-SOPA are also conscious of being sustainable through funding new public transport services and frequencies rather than encouraging more people to drive to work

Safety Issues for late finishing staff.

-OH&S of staff is primarily an employer responsibility, although SOPA is willing to work with SOPBA members to address an safety concerns within the precinct..

-SOPA is happy to work with venues and park businesses on event days by extending the car park bus shuttle service and/or providing security upgrades at car parks like P5. Meeting the costs of these services can be negotiated at future meetings.

I would like to know what is planned for a bus service to carry people around SOP, from SOP parking venues to offices?

-From August, CBA is running an exclusive bus shuttle for their employees, at their cost. SOPA is working with

them to see how it works with a view to have a more public service available when all CBA employees are on site (around September 2008)

-The shuttle service will connect the various car parks to Dawn Fraser during AM & PM peaks. Around lunchtime, it will also service Newington Shopping Mall and Rhodes shopping center.

What plans are in place to update car park technology?

-The current technology used for car parking tickets within SOP is magnetic strip based. As so many other ticketing and payment systems use bar code/digital technology, the magnetic strip tickets have become limited in their application.

-SOPA is looking to upgrade the technology in car park ticketing in 2009. In preparing our project scope, budget and submission, we will be engaging with relevant groups to ensure we can procure the best system.

-SOPA has recently purchased two (2) 'pay & display' machines capable of accepting credit card payments, which will be installed in P6f (Carnival Site) over the next 2 months. This will be used as a trial and, if successful, will be rolled out across the Park.

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Access and Egress to the Precinct

Access during major events impacts on the operations of stakeholders. What is the future of intersections such as Australia Avenue and Figtree Drive, Australia Ave and Parkview Drive. Birnie Avenue/Edwin Flack Drive and Shane Gould avenue continue to be dangerous during events.

-Figtree Dr/Australia Ave - for midweek major events a police officer is assigned to undertake point duty 1630 to 1730. Also, we reopen Figtree Drive at Olympic Boulevard 1630 to 1730. This could be left open for another ½ hour if VS Staff control cars/pedestrians (depending on demand).

Another option for traffic control at Australia Avenue/Figtree drive is to force vehicles exiting Figtree Drive to turn left into Australia Avenue and depart site via Marjorie Jackson Parkway. Signalisation of this intersection has been identified as part of MasterPlan 2025 and will be largely dependent on the timing of the approved residential development on Australia Ave.

-Birnie Ave/Edwin Flack Ave - need to make Shane Gould Avenue look like a road or close gates except for major events (this would open gates at noon on those days). Generally delays do not warrant anything being undertake during normal peak hours. In the short to medium term SOPA investigating other options, which may include
channelisation at intersection.

-SOPA has made a number of changes at certain intersections to improve sightlines and vehicular safety. This includes the removal of trees and high shrubs/grasses, altered stop lines and (during certain events) manned traffic control.

Can you provide an update on the installation of traffic lights around Sydney Olympic Park?

-As part of MasterPlan 2025, the following intersections have been nominated to be signalised – Herb Elliot/Australia Ave, Figtree Dr/Australia Ave, Murray Rose/Australia Ave, Kevin Coombs/Australia Ave (also depending on Holker St opening), Birnie Ave/Edwin Flack Ave and Uhrig Rd/Edwin Flack Ave.

Final approval for signalising any intersection rests with the RTA and such approval are only granted once a number of 'warrants' are met. These warrants are based on traffic volumes, traffic flows, impending developments and accident history.

-Provisional RTA approval for traffic signals at Herb Elliot/Australia Ave intersection has been given. SOPA is finalising the intersection design and obtaining final approval from RTA, with installation of the lights planned for late this year/early 2008.

-SOPA is looking at the priority and sequence of all intersections nominated for signalisation in MasterPlan 2025, including the required funding program.

Review and improved efficiency of Australia Avenue roundabout - particularly for major events and in peak hours

-Generally speaking, the Australia Ave roundabout currently operates satisfactorily during normal peak hour conditions. However, it has been identified in traffic modelling as needing upgrading, possibly through the installation of traffic lights. SOPA sees this particular project as being a high priority project to support MasterPlan 2025.

-During major events, the RTA has been endeavouring for many years to discourage the use of this intersection (particularly from the north) to access SOP (except for those who are travelling to P3 car park) - messages have been displayed to the motoring public via the large Variable Message Signs on the RTA road network and also via traffic reports on commercial radio. Silverwater Rd / Holker St is the preferred route in lieu of Homebush Bay Dr.

M4 east access to precinct?

-A key element of Master Plan 2025 is the construction of east facing ramps onto the M4 from Hill Road.

-This would provide the precinct with a second major access point to Central Sydney via the M4 . (The other being via Australia Avenue/ and Homebush bay Drive.)

-SOPA is proposing to include this project in Master Plan 2025 and the supporting Infrastructure Funding Plan.

The IFP will include a contribution to fund the M4 ramps.

Final control of the project rests however with the RTA.

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Issues raised in question time

Other matters raised by attendees in question time included:

Special Event Buses

* Staff can use this buses by paying the appropriate fare

SOPA Rangers

* SOPA rangers perform a 'roving' role on event days. Organisations
should advise SOPA if certain areas need to be upgraded from security viewpoint, or SOPA may be able to redeploy Rangers to areas of concern.

Use of the Internet for booking car spaces

There is increasing use of the internet for the purchase of event ticket . This was evidenced by the recent Socceroo v Uruguay match at Telstra Stadium where 30,000 patrons, of the 65,000 crowd purchased their tickets at home via the internet.

This should be factored into future purchasing of car parking tickets and the technology installed in car parks in the park.

Trial new exiting procedures in P1

Prior to any changes in car park technology which is a multi-million dollar change-over, new exiting procedures will be trialled in P1 before the end of the year.

Heavy Traffic on Hill and Bennelong Roads

The trucks traffic on Hill Road, speed and resulting traffic noise, affect the lifestyle quality and safety of 3,000 residents at The Waterfront and the businesses along Bennelong Road. Payce has taken the initiative to meet with businesses in the area to educate them to the significant number of residents living on Hill Road. However, Payce would like to know what initiatives could be enforced by the authority to control the traffic speed: signs, radar, police patrol.... and so on

SOPA advised that whilst Hill Road is in the Auburn Council area, the have consulted with them on ways to slow down the traffic which is primarily construction and industrial in nature. The solution for this matter is ongoing with Auburn Council undertaking a traffic survey in July in an attempt to reduce this problem.

Opening of Holker Street Bus roadway

The future of opening up the Holker street roadway is still undecided. However t is anticipated that within six to 12 months a decision will be made.

Opening up a dedicated bus roadway to cars is a complicated matter. It has major operational implications for a number of stakeholders including the Ministry of Transport , the RTA and local residents. It will have differing impacts and procedures on event day and non match day procedures with a range of conditions placed on it government agencies.

Event Start times for one-off type large events ( This was raised after the breakfast had concluded but very relevent)

There is an issue of traffic arising from the irregular large events other than football and the like held here. For example, there would seem to be no good reason why the Hillsong event needs to commence at a time that conflicts with the time when most employees of businesses here are trying to get to work.

Perhaps the facility hirers could consider the possibility of suggesting to their hirers that they try and start their events at a time that does not conflict with the normal starting times of most SOP businesses.? This would not only allow staff to get to work on time and without undue delay it would also allow the people attending the event to avoid morning peak hour traffic both within and outside SOP.

Acer Arena provided the following response .

Hillsong started its first session at 9.00am and its last session starts at 7.30pm concluding at 10.30 pm. Starting later would result in the final session each day finishing too late for the family’s attending.

In an attempt to spread arrival times the venue opened at 7.30am offering breakfast and other food and beverage options which to date has been successful in reducing traffic problems, noting that this year was the highest attendance ever for the Hillsong event.

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Consultative Committee

SOPBA to be invited onto a consultative committee including SOPA and RTA where the issues raised at the Breakfast will be further reviewed.

This will also provide an ongoing structured forum for SOPBA member issues to be raised.