transport · Inner West Council
Inner West Council backs amended Newtown traffic-calming design
Inner West Council approved a revised Wells Street design in Newtown on 15 June after Transport for NSW rejected the original raised thresholds and backed an at-grade treatment instead.
Inner West Council has approved a revised traffic-calming design for Wells Street in Newtown after Transport for NSW objected to the original raised thresholds at Commodore Street and John Street. The Local Transport Forum backed the plan on 15 June after officers amended it to use at-grade thresholds instead of the raised asphalt design first put forward.
Design Plan No. 10394 originally called for two raised asphalt thresholds. Residents raised concerns about visibility, access, noise, turning movements and possible flooding. TfNSW said it did not support the raised thresholds and preferred an at-grade flush stamped asphalt treatment.
Council officers then amended the recommendation to approve the plan subject to replacing the raised thresholds, removing the piano keys and removing speed hump warning signs. The forum accepted that change.
The Wells Street item was part of a broader transport agenda that day. The forum also dealt with crossings in Stanmore and Summer Hill, along with parking changes in Leichhardt.
In Stanmore, the forum approved an at-grade pedestrian and cyclist crossing on Liberty Street at Railway Avenue, subject to replacing the proposed CYCLIST signs with W8-32 signs and removing the southbound speed cushion. TfNSW also said Council should follow AS 1742 line-marking requirements.
In Summer Hill, the forum approved two raised pedestrian crossings on Smith Street. The proposal also includes a kerb extension and landscaped kerb blister islands.
In Leichhardt, the forum approved 2P, 8am to 10pm, Monday to Friday, permit holders excepted, Area L1 parking restrictions on both sides of James Street between Darley Road and William Street, and between William Street and Allen Street.
The forum also reaffirmed Council’s commitment to a safe cycleway on Lilyfield Road. The minutes record a promise to protect trees and green verges wherever feasible, replace any unavoidable removals in the immediate vicinity to approximately the same maturity, and advocate to TfNSW about intersection efficiency as the project progresses.
The Newtown site had already been flagged in the 2024 Newtown South local area traffic management plan for road painting and better pedestrian connections, after concerns about low visibility and poor accessibility at the corner.
For Wells Street residents, the approved design is the version Council can proceed with, after TfNSW rejected the raised-threshold layout first proposed.
Reference minutes
Inner West Council Local Transport Forum meeting, 15 June 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Inner West Council approved amended design Plan No. 10394 for Wells Street at Commodore Street and John Street, Newtown.
- TfNSW did not support the proposed raised asphalt thresholds and preferred an at-grade flush stamped asphalt treatment.
- Council amended the plan to replace the raised thresholds, remove piano keys and remove speed hump warning signs.
- Residents raised concerns about consultation, noise, turning movements, flooding and access at the Newtown site.
- The forum also approved an at-grade crossing on Liberty Street at Railway Avenue, Stanmore, with sign and speed cushion changes.
- Smith Street, Summer Hill raised pedestrian crossings were approved, and James Street, Leichhardt received 2P permit parking restrictions.
- Council reaffirmed the Lilyfield Road cycleway commitment, including tree and verge protections.
Why it matters
- The amended Newtown design changes how traffic will be slowed at a local intersection and reflects TfNSW's objections to the original raised-threshold proposal.