Rozelle Interchange to be “simplified”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has reacted to reports this week that the State Government is trying to “simplify” the design and build of the WestConnex Rozelle interchange.

“Redesigning the interchange behind closed doors and turning it into one of the world’s largest above-ground spaghetti junctions will result in outright revolt in the inner west,” Mayor Byrne said.

“When the Government failed to find a single conforming tenderer, we warned then that the interchange could not be constructed in the form they proposed.

“Now we are literally weeks out from the expected Stage 3 EIS approval, and still the Government has no idea.

“Now, we find out they are begging the private sector to redesign the interchange, because contractors have told them it is an engineering impossibility.”

The Government is expected to determine the outcome of the M4-M5 Link's environmental impact statement (EIS) in March or April.

“How much more disastrous can this reckless and wasteful project get?” Mayor Byrne asked.

“For example, independent consultants BECA have told Council that the Government’s estimates of tolling revenues are fanciful and bogus.

“No wonder the Government has been so desperate to sell off the Sydney Motorway Corporation before the project actually opens.”

Council is hosting three more public meetings for residents in Haberfield/Ashfield, Annandale/Camperdown, and St Peters to discuss the serious impacts of WestConnex in the local area and what Council is doing to oppose the project.

Public Meeting Haberfield/Ashfield Impacts: Ground Floor Activity Rooms, Ashfield Civic Centre, 260 Liverpool Road, Wednesday 7 February, 6.30-8pm

Public Meeting Annandale/Camperdown Impacts: Petersham Town Hall, 105 Crystal Street Petersham, Wednesday 14 February, 6:30pm-8pm

Public Meeting St Peters Impacts: Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Bedford Street Newtown, Wednesday 21 February, 6:30pm-8pm

Two previous public meetings have already been held, in Rozelle and Leichhardt.

Rozelle Interchange to be “simplified”

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