SEVENTEEN local action groups have united to form an army of opposition to WestCONnex as residents refuse to back down on a project that will haunt developers if it goes ahead.
The resident action groups have the active support of more than 185,000 Inner West residents who have bombarded local MPs and councillors with letters of opposition since the announcement was made.
“The groups have come together since the Newtown Festival with a united purpose to force the government to reassess public transport options for WestCONnex,” said WestCONnex Action Group organiser Janet Dandy-Ward.
“Active membership of the groups has exploded, and social media has connected us all to coordinate our activities and fight this in lock step.
“Any developer is going to need to consider the financial implications of taking on a contract with highly organised and motivated action groups united by the same cause.
“The mood is like a powderkeg now that Inner West residents are aware of what’s happening, and it’s only getting hotter as pressure mounts on elected representatives to consider the scale of opposition to this flawed transport plan.
“The environmental and community concerns will factor into decisions of whoever wins the tender, so residents are now mobilising to have their voices heard prior to the Environmental Impact Statement.
“The government has viable alternatives presented to them in the NSW Master Transport Plan for railway options that will alleviate traffic congestion, provide better port access for freight, and create long term employment opportunities.
We are now in discussion with resident groups in Surry Hills, which also represents people living in Waterloo, Redfern, and Zetland, and that will only add to the weight of numbers opposing this dreadful plan that has no business case,” said Janet Dandy-Ward.
Background:
Local resident groups united against WestCONnex include:
- WestCONnex Action Group
- Friends of Erskineville
- Motto Erskineville
- Marrickville 2040
- Tempe 2044
- St Peters 2044
- Newtown 2042
- No Westconnex
- Rockdale Residents United
- No Westconnex Rockdale Group
- Save Ashfield Park
- WestCON Haberfield
- Wolli Creek Preservation Society
- Newtown Precinct Business Association
- Alexandria 2015-Sydney
- Alexandria Residents Action Group
- Inner West Mums
- Inner West Dads
Figures taken from: http://localstats.qpzm.com.au/
In the 2011 Census the population of Erskineville is 6,848 and is comprised of 48.9% females and 51.1% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Marrickville is 24,613 and is comprised of 50.5% females and 49.5% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Tempe is 3,299 and is comprised of 48.3% females and 51.7% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Sydenham is 1,021 and is comprised of 48.6% females and 51.4% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Wolli Creek is 2,830 and is comprised of 47% females and 53% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Rockdale is 14,036 and is comprised of 48.3% females and 51.7% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of St Peters is 2,871 and is comprised of 48.1% females and 51.9% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Newtown is 14,148 and is comprised of 50.3% females and 49.7% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Camperdown is 7,866 and is comprised of 49.4% females and 50.6% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Ashfield is 22,189 and is comprised of 51.1% females and 48.9% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Summer Hill is 6,587 and is comprised of 51.9% females and 48.1% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Dulwich Hill is 12,981 and is comprised of 52.1% females and 47.9% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Alexandria is 7,050 and is comprised of 48.2% females and 51.8% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Surry Hills is 15,342 and is comprised of 42.2% females and 57.8% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Redfern is 12,034 and is comprised of 43.8% females and 56.2% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Zetland is 3,812 and is comprised of 47.8% females and 52.2% males.
In the 2011 Census the population of Waterloo is 10,657 and is comprised of 46.4% females and 53.6% males.