An artist’s impression of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway design,which the state government finalised last March.

An artist’s impression of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway design,which the state government finalised last March.Credit:Transport for NSW

Councillor Jilly Gibson said the council should reject the offer given the election could change the government. She worried the chosen design for the cycleway would endanger pedestrians and said residents were being asked to “sacrifice everything for the sake of the cyclists”.

“I’m just feeling like this council is wussy,” she said. “It’s not a fait accompli – let’s not be wussy.”

Plans to update the cycleway have long animated debate among some residents,who raised concerns it wouldcompromise the bridge’s heritage and encroach on Bradfield Park. But cyclists,who have to walk their bikes upstairs to travel south,have advocated for a more accessible route.

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Transport for NSW on Monday said it would give the council $2.5 million - $1 million more than a previous offer - for upgrades to Bradfield Park if councillors gave consent by February 28 for the government to take over the northern end of the park for the cycleway project.

If the council did not give its consent,it would not get the money,the government would compulsorily acquire the land,and the project would be assessed through the lengthier “state significant” planning process.

Councillor Ian Mutton told the meeting the transport agency’s actions were “totally unacceptable”.

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“That one level of government will turn to another level of government and say,if you don’t comply with our request within 24 hours,we’re going to take $2.5 million away from you,is outrageous behaviour,” he said.

Resident Joan Street said Transport for NSW’s “ultimatum” was a “desperate attempt ... as it wishes to finalise the contract before the commencement of the[government] caretaker period on Friday”.

The lack of ramp access to the north of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge has long frustrated cyclists.

The lack of ramp access to the north of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge has long frustrated cyclists.Credit:Wolter Peeters

The meeting was told North Shore Liberal MP Felicity Wilson - who haspreviously sided with residents concerned about the project - wrote to outgoing Cities,Infrastructure and Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes late on Monday urging him to defer the matter until after the state election. In the letter,Wilson said she was eager to ensure the community,council,and Transport for NSW could “work together on getting this design and process right once politics is no longer a factor”.

Bicycle NSW chief executive Peter McLean told the meeting an environmental review of the project,exhibited last year,had attracted 850 public submissions – only 50 of which opposed the cycleway.

McLean urged councillors to “listen to the silent majority – the 94 per cent,the 800 positive responses”.

Transport for NSW’s deputy secretary of Cities and Active Transport,Kiersten Fishburn,denied the request for consent was a “rush job”,and it had “been out there for a significant amount of time”.

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Mayor Zoe Baker had to call the public gallery repeatedly to order and request attendees “show some respect” after they chortled and shouted “absolute rubbish” at some of Fishburn’s remarks.

Baker said the council had long advocated for better access to the bridge for cyclists,even if it disagreed with the government about its design. She said accepting the offer was pragmatic,and “just one step” in the project.

“It is an absolute furphy to suggest that we have some sort of leverage over Transport for NSW and that whatever happens at the state election will change this project immutably. It will not.”

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The majority of councillors voted to grant the consent and accept the offer. However,four dissenting councillors lodged a rescission motion returning the matter to a meeting on Wednesday. That motion was defeated.

Stokes wrote to the council on Wednesday,assuring them the government would not determine either the planning or heritage application for the project before the election.

“This will allow independent determinations to be made,by Transport for NSW and the NSW Heritage Council respectively,in a clearer political environment following the election,with full consideration of the impacts and appropriate mitigation measures.”

Milsons Point Community Group convenor Julia Connor said after Wednesday’s meeting that residents were exploring what other options they might have to stop the project going ahead.

The cycleway proposal is expected to be determined in May at the earliest.

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