Friday, May 09, 2014

WestCONnex: Governments Undermining Community



Some activists have been digging though thousands of files relating to WestConnex’s business papers, only to find the State Government has claimed ‘privilege’ on some documents. This means the public is denied access to important details like traffic forecasts – an essential component of the project’s business case.


Others describe the Government’s refusal to call for papers on its pro-developer planning reforms as showing contempt for community views.

Leichhardt Council residents have been hearing of the proposals to on-sell their homes, while people who have been researching the background of the various road stakeholders and associated legislation have informed Marrickville Council of the conflict of interest in making UrbanGrowth NSW both the planning and real estate agent.

While Marrickville LGA residents were heartened recently to hear that Labor, Liberal and Greens councillors on their Council all oppose Westconnex, much of the community remains unaware about the implications of building this road. The lack of genuine community consultation organised by the WestConnex Delivery Authority has been woeful.

It seems the Federal and NSW Governments are intent on building a 33km toll road for Sydney regardless of what the community wants and what traffic experts say is a waste of money which is better spent on more sustainable forms of public transport.

But it’s not too late to oppose – with concerted community action, we can fight this misdirected infrastructure project!

See more at:

No comments: