WESTCONNEX Action Group (WAG) today welcomed the news that Mike Baird is to step down as NSW Premier. 

“Mike Baird’s premiership has been defined by his utter failure to listen to communities, experts and even his own colleagues, and WestCONnex is no exception,” said WAG spokesperson Rhea Liebmann.

“Baird’s WestCONnex disaster has been plagued by cost blowouts, a complete lack of transparency and accountability, and the wholesale transfer of public dollars into private hands. And today, he’s paid the price.

“But while Baird prepares to spend more time with his family, his unfair forced acquisitions, brutal use of riot police during peaceful WestCONnex protests and heartless community destruction has left thousands of families across Sydney devastated.

“Now NSW has a real opportunity to unwind Baird’s mistakes and call a halt to WestCONnex before more communities are destroyed, and western Sydney families are left paying tolls of up to $25 a day to drive straight into traffic jams,” said Ms Liebmann.

Ms Liebmann said WAG would be writing to the new Premier next week to invite him or her to visit the affected communities. She said WAG would also be forwarding a copy of their Open Letter to the current Premier, Roads and Planning Minister to the new leaders.

“The new Premier should call a halt to WestCONnex, and immediately announce a review into the entire project,” said Ms Liebmann, repeating the Open Letter’s demands.

“If not, it won’t be just Mike Baird whose legacy will be based on a toxic tollway, but the entire NSW Liberal-National government who’ll be remembered as the ones who destroyed Sydney.”

Media contacts: Rhea Liebmann 0410 517 343, Pauline Lockie 0414 470 106

Open Letter: westconnexactiongroup.org.au/sign_the_open_letter_on_westconnex