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CBD Metro Environmental Assessment shows high pain for little gain
Wednesday 09 September 2009
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Leichhardt Mayor Jamie Parker say the CBD Metro Environmental Assessment Plan released today confirms the significant disruption and costs to local communities of the proposed $5.3 billion metro. The Greens are calling for the government to instead prioritise heavy rail for South West and North West Sydney and immediately extend the existing Inner West light rail network.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said: "This 530 page document underlines one thing: the Rees government is intent on pushing through with this ill-conceived project at all cost and is blind to other options", Ms Rhiannon said.
"The plan gives short shrift to cheaper, alternative strategies such as extending the light rail system, more frequent and additional bus services and better transport demand management measures.
"Premier Rees should pause to consider the potential community backlash from this crash and burn approach to the CBD metro, particularly in the marginal seat of Balmain currently held by Labor MP Verity Firth.
"The works will create noise and air pollution, destroy heritage, push more trucks onto local roads and disrupt community life, with very little benefit to the commuting public.
"This plan proposes 24/7 excavation and tunnelling and 1.27 million cubic metres of spoil to be trucked away at any hour of the day to 2013.
"33 properties will be acquired as a result of this project, resulting in 175 tenants being turfed out. Key public spaces like Martin Place, Central Station and Town Hall will be significantly disrupted," Ms Rhiannon said.
Greens Mayor of Leichhardt Jamie Parker said: "This project is not about good public transport it is about community destruction.
"There is nothing in this EIS that will cool the heels of community campaigners in my community. They are rightly angry that their concerns have not been heard and that the project is going full steam ahead.
"This plan shows that the destruction of the village atmosphere in Leichhardt, damage to business, heritage community life will be enormous.
For more information:
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Greens Mayor of Leichhardt Jamie Parker - 0418 428 089
