Administrator Pledges to Represent Inner West Residents

The Administrator of the new Inner West Council Mr Richard Pearson, has emphasised his commitment to representing the views of inner west residents in all matters, including WestConnex.

Mr Pearson said that the new Inner West Council will continue to advocate on behalf of residents with regards to the impacts of construction and delivery of the Westconnex project.

"The State Government has approved major sections of Westconnex including Westconnex M4 East and Westconnex New M5, and is currently assessing the M4-M5 link from Haberfield to St Peters,” he said.

"I guarantee that I will work constructively with residents, former mayors and councillors to ensure that the voice of the 185,000 residents of the Inner West Council is heard by the State Government.

"I believe that my experience with the State Government will in fact help me to make our voice even stronger.

"I will shortly meet with affected residents and action groups to hear their concerns, and I will work with Council staff to ensure that those concerns are acknowledged and addressed by the State.

"I will also meet with the project directors of Westconnex to discuss how they can lessen the impacts of the project and improve the outcomes for local residents.

"Greens MP David Shoebridge has made unfounded claims that I have been appointed to fast track WestConnex.

"Unfortunately for Mr Shoebridge, his assumptions are completely false.

"I had no role in the assessment or approval of any Westconnex projects in my previous role in the Department of Planning which concluded almost 2 years ago in September 2014.

"My commitment and my priority is now and will continue to be to the residents of the Inner West Council.