Forensic Pathology and Coroner's Court

Traffic and Access

· Public entry/exit via Main Avenue is inappropriate because it would compromise road safety and dramatically increase traffic movements throughout Botanica.


· Joseph Street or Weeroona Road should be the designated access to reduce the impact of this development on existing residences and roadways.


· Public entry/exit via Main Avenue would increase traffic on local, narrow residential streets in a suburb that has been designed for local traffic


· The Botanica Estate has been designed with a Central Park. It is a popular children's playground within easy walking distance of residents' homes. It is inappropriate to direct traffic to a high profile government facility through a peaceful residential housing estate.


· Ferguson Lodge, is located within the Botanica Estate. It is the only supported accommodation for people with a spinal cord injury in NSW offering both a permanent home as well as respite accommodation. This development proposal will bring increased traffic to Botanica placing disabled residents at risk.


· If the public entry/exit to the new Forensic Pathology and Coroners Court is via Main Avenue then any visitors heading north will need to find an alternate route through the residential streets of Botanica as Main Avenue only provides an exit southbound onto Joseph Street.


· By its very nature, the Coroner's Court will receive clients from across New South Wales. Many of these visitors will be distressed and there is concern that disorientated visitors to the Coroner's Court will be driving through the unfamiliar streets of Botanica Estate, placing residents at risk.


Heritage
· This development proposal disregards the heritage value of Main Avenue, which was the formal entry c1896 to Lidcombe Hospital when Rookwood Asylum was established. It is graded in the 2002 Lidcombe Hospital Site Conservation Management Plan (CMP) by Godden Mackay Logan as an element of exceptional significance.


· The avenue of hoop pines and phoenix palms along Main Avenue is also graded as an element of exceptional significance in the CMP. Construction of the proposed public entry/exit from Main Avenue, Botanica will require demolition of the historic brickwork and verges and interrupt the streetscape.


· The Gatehouse at Botanica on the intersection of Main Avenue and Joseph Street is heritage listed. If Main Avenue becomes the access road for the public car park the intersection of Main Avenue and Joseph Street will become manifestly more dangerous and expose the Gatehouse to the risk of damage.


Amenity
· This is a development that is unusual by its nature. Its hours of operation can be 24/7 and, at times, will involve distressed relatives, emergency services and media attention. This is a serious issue for Botanica residents who are concerned about the impact this will have on their residential amenity.


· There is also concern for the safety risk to residents of Botanica if Main Avenue is used for the delivery of chemicals for the mortuary and laboratories.

I would like to hereby officiallyregister my objection to the planned implementation of the proposed access road to the new Forensic and pathology court in Main Road in Botanica estate. As a resident of the estate I believe that this increase the current traffic load in the estate. I further believe that that this increase in traffic due the proposed access road has not been catered for or taken into account in the proposal to create said access road.

The increase in traffic and vehicles being parked as overflow from the court up and down Main street will have a negative effect (increase) on the currently barely tolerable traffic load and density within the estate

I would like to hereby officiallyregister my objection to the planned implementation of the proposed access road to the new Forensic and pathology court in Main Road in Botanica estate. As a resident of the estate I believe that this increase the current traffic load in the estate. I further believe that that this increase in traffic due the proposed access road has not been catered for or taken into account in the proposal to create said access road.

The increase in traffic and vehicles being parked as overflow from the court up and down Main street will have a negative effect (increase) on the currently barely tolerable traffic load and density within the estate

No comments.

We have been residents at Botanica for the past three years. We chose to live in Botanica because of its peaceful, non-commercial, non-official and residential nature of the Botanica Estate. This estate has been a landmark within Lidcombe area.
The proposed relocation and expansion of the NSW Health Forensic pathology services and coroners court next to the Botanica estate will lead to increased traffic, noise pollution and will be a safety hazard to the small children who play in the park next to the main avenue.
It is beyond comprehension to think that the Government is thinking of a proposal to change the environmental balance in Botanica where so many residents live and is close to children day care facilities.
I strongly request the NSW Government to reconsider their proposed plans and move the relocation and expansion of the NSW Health Forensic pathology services to an alternate commercial area.

Would like to act against the proposal for Coroner's Court on Weeroona Rd, Lidcombe, particularly with entrance to Main Ave. Our estate (The Botanica) is a close community with many families with children. The proposal/plan to have the parking lot/entrance via Main Ave will increase great amount of traffic to our estate, particularly if there are bigger news which will attract media. This will consequently result in people/ unnecessary amount of traffic into a residential area, which is not suitable.

I oppose the use of Main Avenue as an entrance on the following grounds:
1. It is in Botanica estate and part of a heritage area. This must be preserved.
2. Botanica is a residential estate and introducing the Forensic Pathology and Morgue access from within the community will bring unwanted traffic and parking issues on already extremely narrow roads. Living within Botanica and driving through it daily is akin to slalom skiing. The coroners court and morgue would not only make the existing situation worse but would put at risk the lives of residents.
3. Current roads in the area are already sub optimal and due to heavy traffic towards and away from Hume Highway cause damage to these roads (pot holes). Introducing additional traffic in these areas will only make the situation worse for residents who live in the area and shop at Chullora or Bankstown.

As an alternative please consider an entrance from Weeroona road. Additionally, while your submission gives very high regard to the public servants parking, it completely disregards the negative aspects introduced by exposing public parking to a recently developed community with distinctive heritage features throughout. This approach is unacceptable and must be remediated to the satisfaction of residents.

I oppose the use of Main Avenue as an entrance on the following grounds:
1. It is in Botanica estate and part of a heritage area. This must be preserved.
2. Botanica is a residential estate and introducing the Forensic Pathology and Morgue access from within the community will bring unwanted traffic and parking issues on already extremely narrow roads. Living within Botanica and driving through it daily is akin to slalom skiing. The coroners court and morgue would not only make the existing situation worse but would put at risk the lives of residents.
3. Current roads in the area are already sub optimal and due to heavy traffic towards and away from Hume Highway cause damage to these roads (pot holes). Introducing additional traffic in these areas will only make the situation worse for residents who live in the area and shop at Chullora or Bankstown.

As an alternative please consider an entrance from Weeroona road. Additionally, while your submission gives very high regard to the public servants parking, it completely disregards the negative aspects introduced by exposing public parking to a recently developed community with distinctive heritage features throughout. This approach is unacceptable and must be remediated to the satisfaction of residents.

I oppose the use of Main Avenue as an entrance on the following grounds:
1. It is in Botanica estate and part of a heritage area. This must be preserved.
2. Botanica is a residential estate and introducing the Forensic Pathology and Morgue access from within the community will bring unwanted traffic and parking issues on already extremely narrow roads. Living within Botanica and driving through it daily is akin to slalom skiing. The coroners court and morgue would not only make the existing situation worse but would put at risk the lives of residents.
3. Current roads in the area are already sub optimal and due to heavy traffic towards and away from Hume Highway cause damage to these roads (pot holes). Introducing additional traffic in these areas will only make the situation worse for residents who live in the area and shop at Chullora or Bankstown.

As an alternative please consider an entrance from Weeroona road. Additionally, while your submission gives very high regard to the public servants parking, it completely disregards the negative aspects introduced by exposing public parking to a recently developed community with distinctive heritage features throughout. This approach is unacceptable and must be remediated to the satisfaction of residents.

I oppose the use of Main Avenue as an entrance on the following grounds:
1. It is in Botanica estate and part of a heritage area. This must be preserved.
2. Botanica is a residential estate and introducing the Forensic Pathology and Morgue access from within the community will bring unwanted traffic and parking issues on already extremely narrow roads. Living within Botanica and driving through it daily is akin to slalom skiing. The coroners court and morgue would not only make the existing situation worse but would put at risk the lives of residents.
3. Current roads in the area are already sub optimal and due to heavy traffic towards and away from Hume Highway cause damage to these roads (pot holes). Introducing additional traffic in these areas will only make the situation worse for residents who live in the area and shop at Chullora or Bankstown.

As an alternative please consider an entrance from Weeroona road. Additionally, while your submission gives very high regard to the public servants parking, it completely disregards the negative aspects introduced by exposing public parking to a recently developed community with distinctive heritage features throughout. This approach is unacceptable and must be remediated to the satisfaction of residents.

I note with great disappointment and frustration about the NSW Government proposal for the relocation and expansion of the NSW Health Forensic pathology services close to the Botanica Estate in Lidcombe.
I wish to lodge my opposition to this proposal.
Botanica Estate is one of the few residential areas within Lidcombe/Auburn that has attracted a very diverse nature of residents made of young couples; families with young children and elderly parents. The peace and quiet within this estate is the highlight of this area. The Central Park within the estate is favourite of young and old.
The proposed relocation and expansion of the NSW Health forensic pathology services will cause immense disruptions in the day to day lives of the Botanica residents.
It will increase traffic on the roads adjoining the Main Street such as Botanica Drive, Betty Cuthbert Drive, Peppertree Road, Grevillea Cres, Palm Circuit and Sussex Street. The cars will be forced to drive through Botanica to get to/from the Court and morgue.
If the public entry to the court and morgue is from Main Avenue, it will create parking problems and people will park their cars along the streets in the residential area.
This increased traffic will substantially increase safety risk to our children and the elderly residents of the Botanica Estate.
It will compromise the aesthetics of Main Avenue that is subject to heritage listing.
In the long team this will potentially undervalue our homes in the Botanica. Estate.
I firmly oppose this proposal to relocate and expand the NSW Health any changes being proposed and request the NSW Government to reconsider their proposed plans.

The proposed site, if goes ahead, will seriously impact the safety and peaceful life of over 500 families in the Botanica Estate. Note that currently the streets around the proposed site are part of residential neighbourhood and also are used by Paraplegic and Quadriplegic members from nearby Ferguson Lodge.
It is not appropriate that access to the proposed site requires public to travel through existing neighbourhood streets such as Botanica drive, or even meandering through the already very narrow Betty Cuthbert Drive. This is due to no direct access road northwards from the proposed site via the busy Joseph St. The increased traffic will pose serious safety to the residents as well as to many Paraplegic and Quadriplegic patients from Ferguson Lodge who are using the quiet streets of the residential neighbourhood.
I sincerely implore your consideration to either relocate the site to elsewhere or at least to shield the current quiet neighbourhood from this unnecessary traffic load in the neighbbourhood streets. Thank you.

How can a brand new morgue is built right within a residential area? Worse still the planning of the road will expect unjustified increase of traffic within the residential neighbourhood streets. Please do not refer to the site as part of the former Lidcombe Hospital site. It now becomes a residential residential neighbourhood and is CURRENTLY called Botanica residence.
Please consider relocating the site to elsewhere with less residential impact. Or redesign the site plan that does not allow public/media to meander the neighbourhood streets.
Thank you.

The proposed site, if goes ahead, will seriously impact the safety and peaceful life of over 500 families in the Botanica Estate. Note that currently the streets around the proposed site are part of residential neighbourhood and also are used by Paraplegic and Quadriplegic members from nearby Ferguson Lodge.
It is not appropriate that access to the proposed site requires increased public traffic to travel through existing neighbourhood streets such as Botanica drive, or even meandering through the already very narrow Betty Cuthbert Drive. This is due to no direct access road northwards from the proposed site via the busy Joseph St. The increased traffic will pose serious safety to the residents as well as to many Paraplegic and Quadriplegic patients from Ferguson Lodge who are using the quiet streets of the residential neighbourhood.
I sincerely implore your consideration to either relocate the site to elsewhere or at least to shield the current quiet neighbourhood from this unnecessary traffic load in the neighbbourhood streets. Thank you.

I am concerned about the safety of my family especially my kids. Botanica has over 700 families and over 500 children. It is also an exclusive place for disabled people with spinal cord injuries. All the residents and children cross Botanica Drive to go to the playground or the Central Park. Having the entry/exit for the public to access to the Court will only mean that public will be coming through Botanica via Botanica Drive and exiting via Botanica Drive too since that has a traffic light. In order to go Northbound, they may also weave their way through other narrow and conjested residential roads and become a danger to the residents
Public visitors can become violent and can drive recklessly through the streets. This will subject all residents to danger.
Unwanted visitors like criminals, sex offenders, and murderers will be passing through the estate to attend court. This is a MAJOR security concern.
Furthermore, this is not a quiet or ISOLATED AREA that your document has mentioned. We have over 3,000 of residents here.
Your document repeatedly mentioned that this is the Former Lidcombe hospital site but failed to mention that now it has over 700 properties.
It would be most appropriate to fence up the new development away from the Botanica residents. Entry and exit can be via Weeroona Road. A FENCE can be constructed to separate the 2 car parks.
If you are concern for the staffs safety, then Botanica residents should be given the first priority especially when there are children around.

I am 7 years old. My parents told me that the government is going to build 2 buildings opposite Main Avenue. It is a court to sentence bad people to jail. But Main Avenue does not have a traffic light. The bad people's friends or family members will have to drive through our roads. This is not safe. If they become angry, they can drive really fast and it is very dangerous. Our roads are not straight and sometimes you can't see the cars coming from the other side. My parents always drive very carefully. I always see disabled people on wheelchairs on our roads so my parents are very careful in driving and slow down.
If many strangers come through our place, this is not safe anymore. I don't know what these strangers can do to us. It is going to be scary to live here. I am NOT HAPPY!!

Placing the new Coroners court at the Main Avenue site in Lidcombe would be destroying the local environment.
The road layout suggested by the plan to let traffic come to the coroner's court via Main avenue will result in people from the north, going left into Botanica Drive and then via Betty Cuthbert Drive (shortest route) to the Court. Currently this street is a purely residential area, used by residents only to go to and from their homes. When the court is built, it is my belief that visitors to the court will NOT drive as careful as one ought to be in a street where kids play on the streets regularly. Due to the nature of the Court building and the Morgue, there will be people visiting, upset by what they have seen and then leaving the court not looking out properly for other people on the road. Thereby causing potential accidents whereby the Courts become even busier. (this is the one place that we should aim to be putting out of business).

A similar situation exists with traffic coming from the south. They are being pushed via Main Avenue into the facility. From Weeroona Road, Main Avenue is also a residential area. People are walking along the road towards the bus stops, towards the child care centre and the plans are suggesting to increase the traffic though these streets as part of the Facility.

A better solution would be to have staff and Public access go from Weeroona Road. The Staff then can easily get to the first car park while the public drive a few meters on to get to the public card park. Pedestrian access to Main Avenue could be allowed to get access to the public transport facilities. If everyone goes into Weeroona Road to get to the facility (staff and Public), as per the traffic and Parking assessment, the intersection for Joseph Street and Weeroona Road should be able to cope with the 155 additional vehicle movements in the AM peak (from both north and south) The reports states that with the development of the facility, the situation isn't going to deteriorate much more then it currently does. And it isn't uncommon to adjust the traffic lights slightly to cate for a bit more traffic flow going into Weeroona Road to keep the flows going nicely.

From an environmental heritage perspective, Main Avenue is listed in a 2002 (http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/Develop/PlanPolicies/Pages/Former-Lidcombe-Hospital-site.aspx ) report as Exceptional. So it should be maintained as it is today, to show the heritage to the Lidcombe Hospital. It was the main access road the Rookwood Asylum in 1896. So it should not be cut up with an access road into a parking lot for the Coroner's Court.
The Auburn DCP Auburn council DCP - link at http://www.auburn.nsw.gov.au/Develop/PlanPolicies/DCP1/Former%20Lidcombe%20Hospital%20Site.pdf lists Main Avenue as an important area.

If possible, I'd like to see this facility to go to a different location, perhaps a more industrial area where there is less impact to a residential area.

I am concern with the safety of my family and my grandchildren.

There will be too many strangers coming through the estate and it is not safe for the community.

I object to this proposed development having its entrance along Main Avenue as it can possibly threaten the heritage and community feel of the current Botanica residential estate. It will definitely cause increased traffic and congestion in a quiet residential area. Surely the NSW Government can relocate the entrance of this development along Weroona Road as is the case with some of its other offices