Call for WestConnex to deliver more parkland
11 January 2017
The Inner West Council is calling on the State Government to convert residual lands not used for WestConnex into public parklands or other facilities.
Administrator Richard Pearson said that this was a chance for the State Government to show that it would deliver local benefits inner west residents, who are bearing the brunt of the project.
“We have been urging the State Government to include more public parkland in the design plans for the M4/M5 link,” he said.
“But they must go further and deliver some benefits to all of the inner west community that are enduring all of the pain of this project, including those being impacted by stages already underway.“We have fought back as they have tried to acquire council lands for undervalued prices, and in many cases we have won.
“Now, there is plenty of ‘residual’ land that has been acquired for the motorway that won’t actually be needed.
“This is a chance for the State Government to give something back to our community, by turning those lands into parks or community facilities.”
Council has pushed for the design plans for the Stage 3 M4/M5 link to include a roadside park and bike lane alongside Victoria Road in Rozelle.
“We’ve shown the State Government the opportunity in that proposal, and are waiting to see what the design plans will bring when they are released early this year,” said Mr Pearson.
“And there’s no reason why other residual lands around the St Peters interchange and Haberfield portal couldn’t provide the same benefits.”
Some of the other suggestions Council has made to Sydney Motorway have included
- Creation of a park and bike lane on residual land next to one of the legs of the St Peters interchange;
- Use of a number of properties acquired but not demolished near the Haberfield Portal as affordable housing