Rozelle Interchange

Construction work on the massive Rozelle Interchange project is now complete. Sydney's traffic is slowly adjusting to the new road configuration. The underground motorway junction connects the M4-M5 Link tunnel with the Anzac Bridge, Iron Cove Bridge and the future Western Harbour Tunnel, bypassing the City West Link and Victoria Road.

A long and painful project

It has been a massive battle over many years to ensure that construction is managed in accordance with the guidelines, regulations, laws and standards that were developed to keep bike riders safe, and that the project delivers high-quality new cycling facilities as a legacy of the mammoth NSW Government investment.

In 2022, Bicycle NSW collaborated with local friends at the Inner West Bicycle Coalition and BayBUG to prepare an issues paper outlining the challenges and opportunities for this part of the Inner West. We explored the options for delivering a Lilyfield Connection, a project that is still languishing after decades of advocacy. And we made a strong case for road space reallocation on Victoria Road to accommodate regional cycleways, wider footpaths and essential tree canopy. We urged NSW Government to take advantage of the reduced surface traffic promised by the new toll-free tunnel - before new induced traffic filled the available space.

The new walking and cycling paths

There is good news! The tunnelling site at the old Rozelle Rail Yards has been converted into 9.5 hectares of new open space. There are some excellent new shared paths and high-quality sports ovals and playgrounds. Transport for NSW has provided a dedicated Rozelle Parklands website to communicate the details.

The new walking and cycling routes connect existing active transport links around Victoria Road, Annandale and the Anzac Bridge. There are still many issues with crossing the mammoth junction at surface level, but riders through the area should be able to use the tunnel under Victoria Road and the Green Bridge over City West Link to bypass a lot of awkward crossings. They will give local residents new options to avoid the Roze-hell traffic jams!

Unfortunately, many important details, essential to connect the Parklands into the fabric of neighbouring communities have been overlooked - or left to Inner West Council to complete in the future. Bicycle NSW identified 6 priorities for fixing active transport connections. We continue to work with local politicians and council staff to ensure that Transport for NSW delivers much-needed kerb ramps, pedestrian crossings, better light phasing and accessible intersections as much as possible. Our submission to the Rozelle Parklands Master Plan and Plan of Management highlights current advocacy issues.

There have been some recent wins. A pedestrian crossing now connects the Parklands with Easton Park, and in 2024 the Placemaking NSW was granted $17million to improve walking and cycling connections around the White Bay Power Station. A shared path from the Power Station forecourt to the Victoria Road underpass is complete and used for special events. General access is likely in the near future, vastly improving connections to Robert Street and Balmain.

Parliamentary Inquiry

In 2024, an inquiry was established to investigate and report on the Impact of the Rozelle Interchange. Bicycle NSW's submission made 10 recommendations for N SW Government.

The legislative council's final report found there was a lack of transparency with the interchange. Its design was driven by maximising WestConnex's sale value. The negative impacts for local residents, roads and businesses are unreasonable and unacceptable. Pedestrians and cyclists have lost out to induce motorist demand.

It is beyond time for a complete and systemic overhaul of transport planning in NSW so people, not cars, are put first.