WestConnex is no good for Sydney

HEvidence from every direction - including research commissioned by the City of Sydney and a presentation by the Committee for Sydney - continues to support the facts: expensive and unsustainable toll roads will not solve Sydney's transport congestion.

In line with global cities around the world, experts agree that it's increased investment in public transport that help improve a city's mobility and liveability.  

BUT: Despite all the the expert analysis, global research and sensible policy advice available to the NSW Government over the last few years, it is still planning to build what many describe as "WasteConnex". 

Forecasts are that more, not less, trafficwill drive along Parramatta Rd once WestConnex tolling commences.

It will mean motorists from Sydney's outer north-west will pay more than $20 in tolls on a single trip to the airport once the WestConnex opens.

Even the WestConnex Delivery Authority acknowledges that tolls will also likely increase for the Eastern Distributor and Sydney Harbour crossings. 

Of course, the Government prefers not to mention any of this. And while there have been repeated calls by multiple stakeholders (including us, the Greens and the Sydney Morning Herald) for all facts and modelling on WestConnex to be disclosed, we still have to wait another two months for information to be released that should have been available to the community 18 months ago. 

It's this lack of transparency that even the NSW Auditor-General has condemned.

In other news since the NSW election six weeks ago:

• In response to calls for disinvestment of the NRMA due to its ill-informed lobbying for WestConnex, the NRMA head said the organisation supports all forms of transport - but chose not to participate in a Leichhardt community meeting to discuss its position after initially agreeing to attend
   
• The Public Health Association of Australia has raised serious concerns about building more roads given vehicle emissions are a known cancer link.   

What can you do?

Write to your local MP to let them know why WestConnex is not the answer to a Sydney we all want to live in, and ask what HE/SHE is PERSONALLY doing to STOP WestConnex and to promote PUBLIC TRANSPORT investment instead. 

We are fundraising to employ a part-time campaign co-ordinator for groups fighting WestConnex. If you would like to make a donation towards this and general campaigning materials please click here.

To follow or join the protests, go to the following pages - "like" the Facebook links for a regular feed of information.

No WestConnex: Public Transport Inc
Westcon Community Action Groups
No WestConnex: Public Transport not Motorways
WestConnex Action Group Inner West
Protect Wolli Creek Valley
Save Ashfield Park 
No WestConnex Rockdale Group
No to WestConnex Beverly Hills
Save Sydney Park
Save Our Strathfield