SUNSHINE Progress Association has predicted traffic queues stretching 20 kilometres back onto the M1 Pacific Motorway during major events at the proposed Cedar Mill development in Morisset.
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The proponents, Winarch Capital, have plans for a multi-million-dollar development on the site of the former Morisset Country Club and golf course.
The Cedar Mill development would split the site into precincts for entertainment, hospitality and accommodation.
It would include an outdoor concert venue with a capacity for 30,000-plus spectators.
Association president John Quinlan acknowledged the Morisset district could enjoy significant gains from the Cedar Mill proposal.
The development is expected to generate 1224 construction jobs plus a further 475 ongoing jobs.
"While the project may bring benefits to the community it seems that the potentially negative impacts are being glossed over," Mr Quinlan said.
"The most important issues relate to traffic and parking."
Cedar Mill was designed to attract crowds of 30 000, he said.
"The absolutely critical assumption is that 60 per cent of patrons will arrive by train, being 18,000. This requires State Rail to provide 18 or 19 10-car trains, each carrying about 1100 people, to be processed through Morisset Station, which services only six car trains.
"The issues of crowding on the platforms during both arrival and departure, with the attendant safety risks, are obvious."
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Mr Quinlan said he questioned whether patrons attending events aimed at mature audiences would travel by train.
"They are much more likely to choose to arrive by car," he said.
"If it is assumed that 30 per cent of patrons, being 9000, arrive by train, and coaches bring another 6000 patrons, then that leaves 15,000 patrons to arrive by car.
"It is probably equivalent to at least 6000 cars.
"If only 4000 of these arrive via the M1 over a four-hour period, then the queue at the Mandalong off-ramp will be in the order of 20 kilometres. That is an unacceptable safety and congestion risk which I doubt that Roads and Maritime Services would condone."
Mr Quinlan said parking would also "be a nightmare".
Parking spaces proposed for use in Morisset Showground and at Cedar Mill would be inadequate, he said.
Winarch Capital said it was confident that "specialised planning and management tailored to each event and associated demographic" would ensure the success of Cedar Mill as a venue.
The company said its plans had received a "very positive" informal response to its proposal.
The development has the backing of Southlake Business Chamber and Community Alliance, Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser, and state MP Greg Piper, among others.
Winarch Capital said it was aware of concerns around traffic, but said major events would be scheduled appropriately.
"Most events will be of a temporary nature and outside peak congestion times," it said.
"Events will utilise traffic control to minimise delays and to maintain a high level of safety for all stakeholders. The traffic congestion concerns will be addressed with the relevant consent authorities during the determination process."
