RESIDENTS across the WestCONnex route will unite from 12pm on Sunday 6 December for UPROOTED, a family picnic and tree-wrapping event to highlight the destruction the $16.8 billion toll road would cause.
UPROOTED is being organised by WestCONnex Action Group (WAG), and will involve three simultaneous events in Haberfield, St Peters and Kingsgrove.
“People are furious that the Baird Government wants to destroy so much of our precious green space, parklands, homes, heritage and communities for the WestCONnex toll road,” said WAG spokesperson Pauline Lockie.
“And for what? Even the Baird Government’s own figures show WestCONnex will make congestion on many of our local streets worse, not better. This taxpayer-funded toll road also looks set to be a massive financial failure, because people won’t pay its huge tolls to drive straight into an inner-city traffic jam.
“This event will give our community a chance to stand with affected residents across Sydney to tell Premier Baird we won’t be UPROOTED for his secretive, destructive and expensive WestCONnex toll road.
“We’ll be wrapping blue ribbons in WestCONnex’s corporate colours around trees and heritage homes to symbolise our protection, and raise awareness of what would be lost if this $16.8 billion toll road is built.
“We’ll have WestCONnex Corrupt-Cakes, Traffic Jams and StupidiTeas for sale, and lots of fun stuff for the kids. People will be able to make submissions objecting to the New M5 EIS. We’ll even have piñatas of Duncan Gay, Dennis Cliché and the project’s Business Case filled with WestCONnex money and lollies!
“We can stop this disgusting waste of taxpayer funds and destruction. And we encourage everyone to join us at UPROOTED on Sunday 6 December to stand up for our local environment and communities.”
Locations and running sheet
Kingsgrove: Beverly Grove Park, Glamis St, Kingsgrove 2208
Haberfield: Reg Coady Reserve, Dobroyd Pde (between Martin St and Waratah St), Haberfield 2045
Sydney Park: Corner Euston Rd and Campbell Rd, St Peters NSW 2044
12pm: Events start at all 3 locations. WAG members available for interview.
12:20 – 12:30pm: Speeches start at all locations.
~1pm: Speeches end. Piñata, tree wrapping and other activities start. Events continue until close.
Media contacts: Sharon Laura (Haberfield) 0417 022 553, Pauline Lockie 0414 470 106 (Sydney Park), Kathryn Calman 0421 181 057 (Kingsgrove)
Event URL: http://www.westconnexactiongroup.org.au/uprooted_family_picnic_tree_wrapping