King Street Businesses Protected with Commitment to No Clearway Extensions

Anthony Albanese December 2015

Mark Ely and Simon Shaw, representatives from the Newtown Precinct Business Association and I met today with the NSW Minister for Roads, the Hon Duncan Gay MLC to discuss the impact of the WestConnex project.

The Minister gave an absolute commitment that there would be no extension of clearways on King Street, Newtown.

Consideration is also being given to altering the intersection of the Princes Highway and King Street, near St Peters’ Station, to encourage traffic away from using King Street as a thoroughfare.

As the Member for Grayndler I have been concerned about many issues the local residents and businesses have raised with me about WestConnex and I have continued to make strong representations direct to the Minister and in the Parliament on their behalf.

When I met with the Newtown Precinct Business Association last month they were particularly concerned about the possibility of a clearway on King Street pointing out it would be disastrous for the thriving businesses in the area and would have a big impact on the atmosphere of the local community.

Newtown is a vibrant and interesting shopping precinct and I am anxious to ensure that the area is not damaged by the construction of WestConnex.

The Business Association also raised with Minister Gay the impact on local businesses of the proposed five year period between Stages 2 and 3 of the project and the importance of proper traffic management during construction.

Minister Gay agreed to further consultation between the Association and the managers of the project around the implications on local roads of the WestConnex Project.

I will continue to make representations to the NSW Government on behalf of the local community.