HUNDREDS of residents across the WestCONnex route came to WestCONnex Action Group (WAG)’s UPROOTED family picnic and tree-wrapping events on Sunday to protest the destruction that will be caused if the $16.8 billion toll road goes ahead.
UPROOTED saw families enjoy an afternoon filled with face painting, games and BBQs at three simultaneous events in Haberfield, Sydney Park and Kingsgrove. Residents, including children, also made hundreds of submissions objecting to the New M5 environmental impact statement (EIS) at the events.
“Once again the Baird Government has been sent a clear message by residents from across the WestCONnex toll road corridor,” said WAG spokesperson Janet Dandy-Ward.
“People are furious that so much of our city will be destroyed for this scam, especially when Premier Baird has failed to prove WestCONnex will benefit anyone except toll road companies.
“We had families and children, an Aboriginal elder, elected officials, and even Elvis come out at UPROOTED to tell the Baird Government WestCONnex is wrong for Sydney and wrong for taxpayers.
“Communities across the city stood together to tell Premier Baird we won’t be UPROOTED for his secretive, destructive and expensive WestCONnex toll road.
“It’s clear now that people across Sydney are alive to this issue. They’re angry, they’re engaged, and they’re prepared to stand their ground to save their communities from WestCONnex.
“More and more voters are realising WestCONnex is nothing but a scam that will see western Sydney commuters pay over $20 a day in tolls to drive straight into inner-city traffic jams.
“The only winners out of this $16.8 billion white elephant are the road builders, consultants and big banks who are being paid billions of our taxpayer dollars to work on WestCONnex before planning approvals are even granted.
“It's time the Baird Government heard the voters, stopped the disastrous WestCONnex toll road, and used its $16.8 billion cost to invest in projects that would actually solve Sydney’s transport problems.”
Media contacts: Pauline Lockie 0414 470 106, Sharon Laura 0417 022 553