There is significant community concern over traffic safety on the site of retirement living development, Kokoda Residences, in Waitara.
Brought to The Post’s attention by Kokoda residents, the issue lies in the way public parking has been implemented on the eastern side of Waitara Avenue. While the western side of Waitara Avenue is parallel parking, the other is 45-degree angle parking. Residents are finding it difficult to exit Kokoda safely, as parked cars obstruct the view of oncoming traffic, particularly when there are large, utility vehicles in the 45-degree spots.
Both residents and Vasey Housing Corporation, operator of the retirement complex, have reached out to Hornsby Shire Council to resolve the issue.
‘The safety of our residents is paramount to us. We engaged a traffic engineer to propose some possible strategies. Options the traffic specialists suggested included the installation of a convex mirror,’ says Graham Hooper, CEO of Vasey. ‘We presented this to Council, who indicated it was not possible for various reasons. Vasey has written to Council again requesting that the installation of the mirror be reconsidered and for Council to suggest alternative solutions if the mirror is still regarded as unsuitable.’
In a letter to Hornsby Shire Council, Kokoda residents John and Lyn indicated that updating the 45-degree parking to parallel parking, mirroring the opposite side of Waitara Avenue, would be a sound solution.
‘Change is necessary before there is a calamity,’ writes John. ‘The area outside our driveway is now in order of magnitude busier than it was, as is the potential for death or injury from a collision.’
The Post contacted Hornsby Shire Council for comment:
‘The parking at Kokoda Residences was assessed during the development application process by an independent traffic consultant and found to be appropriate by the Land and Environment Court which approved this development.’
