Sydney Traffic Committee

Unique IDAG-0162DescriptionIn 1976, the Traffic Authority of New South Wales was established under the Traffic Authority Act, 1976 to exercise overall control over the administration of traffic laws, traffic management policies and standards and traffic safety measures.

Section 20 of the Act delegated to local councils the power to approve the installation of certain traffic control facilities on local roads. To implement this provision, local traffic committees composed of local Council representatives and delegates from the Department of Main Roads and the Police Department were authorised to be formed in each local council. The establishment of these local bodies was governed by the guidelines issued by the Authority requiring technical expertise qualifications for the members of the local traffic committees.

The Sydney Traffic Committee (STC) was created under these guidelines. It was composed of members representing the Sydney City Council, the District Traffic Supervisor of the Police Department or his representative and the Divisional Engineer of the Department of Main Roads or his representative.

The administrative procedure relating to the operation of the Committee was approved by Resolution of Council on 13 December 1976. On 22 December 1976, the inaugural meeting of the Sydney Traffic Committee was held. As a technical committee, the STC reports to Council which decides whether or not to authorise a particular traffic facility. During discussions of this meeting it was agreed that for various reasons, particularly those related to its work load, a Sub-Committee was formed. Its structure was similar to the Technical Sub-Committee of the City of Sydney Parking Advisory Committee which co-existed with the STC.

In 1977, attendance at STC meetings by local members of State Parliament or their representatives, as observers, was approved. The following year, the responsibility of undertaking investigations and associated functions such as report preparation by the police representative was transferred to the STC. These reports are now part of CRS 855, Records of the Parking Advisory Committee, 1956-1981.

The STC was mandated to provide and keep records of its decisions and operations relating to construction, erection, installation and removal of traffic control facilities. These records should include the date of authorisation and date of implementation of each approval, and be made available to officers of the Police.

Decisions made by the STC on traffic control facilities required the concurrence of the Police Department when they relate to enforcement and traffic safety, and the Department of Main Roads when they affect traffic safety, design, planning and operations. However, in the case of bus services, the STC consults the Public Transport Commission or the Department of Motor Transport.

The Committee is authorised to call a meeting as need arises but should schedule a meeting at least once in three months. The Committee was also compelled to keep its records, at least reports of the Committee's decisions.

Sources:

TC 1202/76
TC 865/75
DF 674/75
Traffic Authority Act, 1976
Minutes of the Sydney Traffic CommitteeCreationTraffic Authority Act, 1976
Resolution of Council, 13 Dec 1976

Agency

Planning and Development Committee

Projects and Public Spaces Committee

City Development

Planning and Building Department

Series

Records of the Sydney Traffic Committee

Description

Start date13th December 1976End date13th December 1976Relationship legacy dataPRECEDED BY: Parking Advisory Committee AG-0161 (31/12/1976)
RELATED TO: Sydney City Council OR-0001 (13/12/1976)
RELATED TO: External committees FN-0028 (13/12/1976)
RELATED TO: Traffic management FN-0018 (13/12/1976)
Source System ID162

Relationships

Preceding agenciesParking Advisory CommitteeOrganisationSydney City CouncilRelated functionsTraffic managementExternal committees

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Sydney Traffic Committee