Council Concerned by Potential WestConnex Dive Sites

Council is calling on the Government and Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) to immediately release more information to the community on its tunnelling plans for Stage 3 construction of the WestConnex motorway.

Council is concerned that SMC may be considering both a Sydney Trains owned site at 7 Darley Rd, Leichhardt as well as nearby Blackmore Oval as potential ‘tunnelling dive’ sites for construction of the project’s M4-M5 link.

Administrator Richard Pearson met with community representatives this week to hear firsthand of residents’ concerns and has also raised the issue with Roads Minister Duncan Gay as well as written to SMC seeking detailed information on the proposal.

“While we understand a tender will not go out this year to construct the Stage 3 M4-M5 link of the WestConnex project, it is essential we strongly lobby the Government now to achieve the best outcome for our residents,” he said.

“SMC potential use of either site as a tunnelling dive site would produce major impacts on the local area for an extended construction period including heavy vehicle traffic, worker parking, noise and vibration.”

Mr Pearson said it is an unsettling time for the inner west community especially as Sydney Motorway Corporation are only releasing half formed information on potential sites which have not been fully examined, in terms of feasibility or viability.

“There is a lack of clear and specific information both to the Council and the community,” he said.

“Council is trying to get better outcomes for the community but we can only deal with issues we are fully informed upon. We are not yet convinced that a tunnelling dive site is even required here.

“Managing the traffic impacts along Darley Rd and nearby streets will also require significant planning that is sensitive to the huge impact this project will have on local residents.”

Council Concerned by Potential WestConnex Dive Sites

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