Northwest Rapid Transit Northwest Rapid Transit (NRT) has confirmed that the construction of the Sydney Metro 33kV cable under Artarmon’s streets will commence in the second week of January 2017.

While it will be a tough time for businesses and residents, NRT has committed to completing the trenching along Brand Street and Hampden Road to the Jersey Road intersection in four to five weeks finishing early in February 2017. This is a significantly shorter time frame than originally proposed by NRT and should reduce the potential for traffic chaos associated with school pick-up and drop-offs. A noise assessment is being modelled to see whether the Artarmon Village section can be completed at night. NRT is proposing to hold an information forum early December to inform businesses of their latest plans.

98-110 Hampden Road – AVI was dismayed to learn that the development at 98-102 Hampden Road had been postponed indefinitely after the owner’s proposed amendments to their Development Application were rejected at a full Council meeting. The three shops are currently available for lease. AVI consider that completion of the proposed redevelopment of this site will inspire further investment in the precinct and provide additional services and more variety for the residents and workers.

AVI members survey – A survey of AVI members is planned for the New Year to establish a priority list of new projects for the Artarmon Village. Future projects may include:

• a heritage paint plan for the shop façades in Hampden Road; 
• new and better street furniture; 
• atmospheric lighting in Wilkes Avenue;
• feasibility study on optimising parking availability in Hampden Road and Hampden Lane;
• planning events such as Night Markets and Friday night music on Artarmon Village Green and Wilkes Avenue.

New Members AVI welcomes the following new members:

• Artarmon Gourmet Chicken
• Artarmon Medical Centre
• Artarmon TAB
• Evergreen Fruit Markets
• Everyday Canteen
• Inter Desserts
• Flame and Oven
• Lock N Roll Thank You

Thank you to the AVI committee members who have given their time working for the benefit of our community:

• Richard Thompson – Artarmon Vision (Secretary) 
• Flick Simpson – Art On Skin (Treasurer) 
• Mat Smallwood – Bakers Delight
• Jeremy Ong – Laing + Simmons
• Toby Cutler – Salvage Specialty Coffee
• Sunny Cheung – Artarmon Newsagency

And a special Thank You A special thank you the residents and employees working in the area who continue to support the businesses in Wilkes Avenue and Hampden Road. Best wishes to you and your family for the Christmas break and 2017. You are what community is all about! Please look out for the AVI Proud Member decal in their windows and “like” our page on Facebook.

“This is the Artarmon Village section of the Artarmon Gazette. To read the full copy of the Gazette please click here“