No traffic modelling carried out for new $75m 45-acre Surf Lodge at Wisemans

The Hills Shire Council say they didn’t need to carry out any traffic volume modelling for the proposed multi-million dollar Wisemans Surf Lodge at the current Wisemans Ferry Retreat, despite residents’ fears of major congestion problems.

The council say visitors to the Surf Lodge – which will feature a state-of-the-art wave pool the size of four football fields, plus golf course and facilities – will be able to use the Wisemans Ferry as well as Old Northern Road to visit the site when it opens in two years time.

“Access to the site is provided from Old Northern Road, which is the primary road utilised for travel to and from Wisemans Ferry,” said a Hills Shire Council spokesperson.

“In addition a vehicular ferry is located approximately 200m north of the site which provides passage for cars across the Hawkesbury River.”

The Post asked the council for a copy of the traffic modelling report and we were told there was no report.

“Traffic modelling for the site was not necessary for this specific Development Application as the DA was specifically for the wave pool and associated structures which are ancillary to the motel accommodation use,” said the council spokesperson.

“The development application did not propose any operational changes to the hotel and golf course or increase the capacity of the site (given that the wave pool can only be used by guests). Therefore, the wave pool and ancillary structures would not generate any additional car trips to warrant amended traffic modelling. The traffic modelling for the site would not have changed from the previous development consents issued for the hotel accommodation and for the golf course.”