This was in the herald a few hours ago
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/shambolic-traffic-model-sets-back-balmain-tigers-development-pitch-20130222-2ewwh.html
Shambolic' traffic model sets back Balmain Tigers' development pitch
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February 23, 2013
Nicole Hasham
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Not all that it's cracked up to be .. an artist's impression of the proposed Balmain Tigers development which has failed to win support. Photo: Supplied
A BUS stop disappeared, a pedestrian crossing was erased and cars were set on a collision course in traffic modelling for the Balmain Leagues Club proposal described by critics as "shambolic" and "hopelessly flawed".
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Two government agencies have refused to support the development, saying the modelling contains so many errors it is useless.
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The finding casts further doubt over the twin-tower proposal which would front Victoria Road, one of Sydney's most congested thoroughfares.
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Developer Rozelle Village is seeking approval for two 24-storey towers including residential apartments, retail and food outlets, community facilities and the leagues club premises.
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In a report to the Planning Department in October last year, the developer said the project "can be accommodated by the existing road network".
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However, a response to the report by Transport for NSW and Roads and Maritime Services said the traffic modelling contained "numerous errors", such as underestimating travel times in one direction by 50 per cent.
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A pedestrian crossing included in a morning traffic model was absent in the afternoon scenario with "no justification provided".
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A bus stop appeared in some models but was absent from another, and several key bus routes were not analysed.
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In one scenario, vehicles on both Darling Street and Victoria Road were given green lights, setting them on a collision course.
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The traffic modelling also failed to consider the impact of cars entering from side roads when calculating congestion on Victoria Road and Wellington Street.
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Traffic assessments were carried out by two firms, GTA Consultants and Halcrow.
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The issues were detected in an independent audit commissioned by the RMS.
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The agencies concluded the errors meant traffic impacts could not be properly assessed and they could not support the proposal.
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Public opposition and feedback from government departments has already forced major changes to the project, including reduced building heights.
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Airservices warned the proposed towers were so high they posed a danger to passing aircraft.
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The Planning Department has also called for changes to density, traffic and parking.
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Rozelle Village's managing director, Ian Wright, on Friday described the issues identified in the audit as "oversights".
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The Balmain MP Jamie Parker said the report was "hopelessly flawed" and further undermined confidence in the proposal. The Leichhardt mayor, Darcy Byrne, said the proposal would bring Victoria Road "to a standstill".
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The Planning Assessment Commission will decide the application.
