NSW residents and commuters gathered in the Sydney CBD last Saturday to protest recent transport decisions made by Gladys Berejiklian’s state government.
Approximately 1000 individuals marched together through the Sydney CBD, commencing at Hyde Park and finishing at Martin Place, as a demonstration of concern and frustration with the NSW State Government and their handling of the state’s public transport.
Greens MP for Balmain, Jamie Parker, said the rally should serve as a wakeup call to a state government that many feel has fallen asleep at the wheel.
“It’s a really clear demonstration of the frustration that people feel not only about public transport but about the direction the state government is going.
“This is a demonstration of everyday people saying they’ve had enough.”
The rally drew protestors from within The Greater Sydney Region, The Blue Mountains, Newcastle and Wollongong, with many advocacy and local government groups represented among those attending.
NSW Secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), Alex Claasens, said the anger of many protestors at the rally stemmed from a lack of effective community consultation between residents and the state government.
“We’ve had a transport minister that just hasn’t bothered talking to anybody; doesn’t consult people, and; this is what happens.
“Most people just want to hear that somebody is listening to their issues and at the moment, a lot of people think that nobody is.”
Indeed, the anger directed at the NSW Government by those marching was palpable. Secretary of Penrith Valley Community Unions, Mary Court, drew the loudest cheers of the day when she evoked Peter Finch’s iconic monologue from the 1976 film, Network.
“We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore,” she said to a rapturous reception.
Speaking further, Ms Court said that many Sydney residents felt it was time for the state government to start listening to their concerns.
“The whole community is sick to death of politics. This is our issue, and we’re taking it straight to the voting booths,” she said.
Issues raised by individuals at the rally included the F6 Tunnel Route, tollways along the M4, privatisation of public transport in Newcastle, and WestConnex Stage 3, each of which has faced significant public backlash throughout their respective developments.
Greta Werner, F6 Action Group, said that she hoped to appeal to the NSW Government to fix issues she fears may harm her community.
“The [exhaust] stacks are spewing pollution over schools, roads and parks. It’s not safe for our kids,” she said.
Another principle concern of many attending was the recently completed sale of the Inner West’s bus transport systems to a private operator by the NSW State Government.
Transit Systems, a Perth-based public transport group, recently won the eight-year tender and will begin handling principle operations on July 1.
Colin Schroeder, Co-Convenor Eco Transit, says that the new plans have not been made with the best interest of Inner West residents in mind.
“It won’t serve the Inner West at all. You just have to look at Newcastle with the privatisation of the transport up there. There are less routes; the bus stops are being reduced in number so they can speed the busses up, but they don’t get the same service.
“Transport in the Inner West is going to become a bigger and bigger problem. They don’t really have any answers,” he said.
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