Local Transport Forum - 16 Mar 2026 11:00 AM

Topics

• Marrickville Road East Cycle Path approved despite business access concerns
  Council has approved the concept design for the Marrickville Road East Cycle Path, while businesses and residents pushed for safer turning areas, better heavy-vehicle access and fewer blind spots.
  The project will reshape a busy corridor and could affect cycling safety, driveway access, parking and construction disruption.
• Council to seek removal of Railway Parade bus zone after Metro works
  The forum agreed to ask Transport for NSW to remove a bus zone on Railway Parade once the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro project is complete.
  This could alter parking, bus operations and kerbside use in a changing station precinct.
• Parking pressure near stations may trigger new restrictions
  Council noted parking impacts around Sydenham Station and received a station parking study for St Peters, with consultation letters planned on possible measures.
  Station-area parking restrictions can directly affect residents, commuters and nearby businesses.

Decisions

• Marrickville Road East Cycle Path concept design approved
  Council approved the detailed concept design drawings for the cycle path between Sydenham Station and Meeks Road.
  This advances a major active-transport project that will change how people cycle, walk and access driveways along Marrickville Road.
• Request to remove Railway Parade bus zone
  Council will write to Transport for NSW to remove the bus zone along Railway Parade between Gleeson Avenue and Marrickville Road after the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro project is completed.
  Could change bus stopping arrangements and street parking near the Metro corridor.
• Utility companies asked to underground cables during footpath works
  Council will write to utility companies in the area advising of planned footpath reconstruction and asking them to underground overhead cables while the works are underway.
  May reduce visual clutter and avoid later street disruption when footpaths are upgraded.

Discussion

• Design concerns raised about driveway access and safety
  Public speakers and a business owner raised concerns about turning space, swept paths, blind spots and heavy vehicle access. Council said these issues will be considered in detailed design and that it will continue liaising with affected businesses.
  Residents and businesses near the route may see design changes aimed at improving safety and access.
• Cycleway grade at driveways to be minimised
  The forum discussed proposals to avoid repeated driveway dips. Council said double laybacks were not feasible but would design around driveways to minimise or eliminate the dip where possible.
  A smoother cycling surface and fewer vehicle scraping issues may result at driveway crossings.
• Construction staging and bus operations
  Transport Services asked whether the road would close during construction. Council said it does not intend to close the road, but final details will depend on the contractor and construction method, and Transit Systems will be notified once plans are finalised.
  Important for bus passengers, businesses and road users relying on Marrickville Road.
• St Peters Station parking study noted
  Council received and noted the St Peters Station Parking Study, which is part of the wider parking assessment around Sydenham, St Peters and Tempe stations.
  Parking management around station precincts may change if impacts are identified.
• Sydenham Station parking impacts to be consulted on
  Council said the Sydenham area had been impacted by the parking studies and consultation letters will be prepared based on proposals raised in earlier meetings.
  Nearby streets may face new parking restrictions or permit changes.
• Resident parking scheme concerns in Leichhardt West
  Speakers raised concerns about resident parking proposals and impacts on businesses and staff, including accessibility and permit needs.
  Parking changes could affect workers, residents and local businesses in the Leichhardt West precinct.

Impacts

• More detailed design and possible construction activity on Marrickville Road East Cycle Path.
• Potential changes to parking and bus-zone arrangements near Railway Parade and Marrickville Road.
• Possible driveway access adjustments and footpath/cable works along the project corridor.
• Future parking restriction consultation around Sydenham Station and surrounding streets.
• Potential resident parking scheme changes affecting local businesses and employees in Leichhardt West.

Places

• Marrickville Road East Cycle Path (project area)
  Approved cycle path corridor between Sydenham Station and Meeks Road.
• Sydenham Station (station area)
  Northern end of the cycle path project and a focus of nearby parking impacts.
• Meeks Road (road)
  Southern end of the approved Marrickville Road East Cycle Path works.
• Railway Parade (road)
  Location of the bus-zone removal request between Gleeson Avenue and Marrickville Road.
• Gleeson Avenue (road)
  Boundary point for the Railway Parade bus-zone area.
• St Peters Station (station area)
  Parking study area received and noted by the forum.
• Leichhardt West (precinct)
  Area discussed in relation to resident parking scheme changes.
• Balmain (locality)
  Referenced in relation to the Curtis Road and McDonald Street pedestrian crossing item.

Next

• Prepare detailed design for the Marrickville Road East Cycle Path, incorporating feedback where feasible
  Mid-2026
• Write to Transport for NSW requesting removal of the Railway Parade bus zone after Metro completion
  Following completion of the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro project
• Write to utility companies about undergrounding overhead cables during footpath reconstruction
  Before and during project construction
• Complete further design and construction planning for the cycle path project
  Construction expected late 2026 to mid-2027, subject to funding approval
• Issue consultation letters for parking proposals around Sydenham Station
  After review of parking study results
• Continue liaison with affected businesses on driveway access and safety issues
  During detailed design

Extract

Local Transport Forum Meeting 16 March 2026 1 Minutes of Meeting held on 16 March 2026 Meeting commenced at 11:01 AM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY BY CHAIRPERSON I acknowledge the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora nation on whose country we are meeting today, and their elders past and present. FORUM MEMBERS PRESENT Clr Victor Macri Councillor –Midjuburi - Marrickville Ward (Chair) Clr Liz Atkins Councillor – Damun - Stanmore Ward Rebecca Fernandez Representative for Kobi Shetty MP, Member for Balmain Graeme McKay Representative for Jo Haylen MP, Member for Summer Hill Colin Jones Representative for Inner West Bicycle Coalition (IWBC) Vinoth Srinivasan Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Kyrellos Hab...