WestConnex
RMS to claim streets under the NSW Roads Act
On 11 February 2019 Roads & Maritime Services informed Inner West Council that it would be exercising its powers under the NSW Roads Act to undertake activities for WestConnex Stage 3B (M4-M5 Link Rozelle Interchange) on the following roads in the Local Government Area:
- Gordon Street, Rozelle (No Public Access upon assumption)
- Railway Parade, Annandale
- The Crescent, Annandale
- Johnston Street, Annandale
- Victoria Road, Rozelle
- Quirk Street, Rozelle
- Hornsey Street, Rozelle
- Lilyfield Road, Rozelle
The notice includes highlighted maps of the nominated roads. It can be viewed via the link below:
Contractor announced for WestConnex Stage 3B Rozelle Interchange
On Friday 14 December 2018 Roads & Maritime Services issued a media release to announce the successful design/construction contractor for WestConnex Stage 3B (Rozelle Interchange & Iron Cove Link). The contractor is a Joint Venture comprising John Holland CPB Contractors, and the contract is valued at $3.9 billion. Construction on Stage 3B is expected to commence in mid-2019. The announcement was reported on 14 December 2018 in the Sydney Morning Herald.
WestConnex Parliamentary Inquiry
Videos of public hearings
Inquiry report released
On Monday 17 December 2018 the report of the Public Accountability Committee entitled The Impact of the WestConnex Project was tabled with the Clerk of the Parliaments. This Report is the committees reponse to the Parliamentary Inquiry into WestConnex. The report is available on the inquiry’s website, along with submissions, transcripts of evidence and other documents associated with the inquiry. The report and its recommendations are now with the NSW Government, which is required to respond to the recommendations within six months.
Council's submission
On 21 June 2018 the NSW Legislative Council’s Upper House Public Accountability Committee announced it had commenced an inquiry into the impact of WestConnex. Further information is available on the NSW Parliament website. The inquiry will investigate the business case, benefit-cost analysis, governance structure of the organisations involved, compulsory acquisitions and relationship to other motorway projects.
Inner West Council remains opposed to WestConnex and has lodged a strong submission that raises a variety of issues, including: inadequate business case; poor planning and management processes; air quality impacts; construction impacts such as noise, vibration, dust, odour and contaminants; noise, safety and amenity impacts from truck movements; worker parking pressures; and the social and economic impacts of the compulsory acquisitions. Three public workshops were held in Haberfield, Leichhardt and St Peters focusing on gaining community feedback and assisting residents with information to lodge their own submission. Council's submission can be viewed on the NSW Parliament website.
In late 2016 Council resolved to undertake a study to assess the operational traffic impacts WestConnex will have on residential streets in the Inner West Council area.
This resolution was prompted by a concern that WestConnex conditions of approval required Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to consider WestConnex traffic impacts after the project had opened to traffic.
Council is of the view that it is imperative to consider traffic impacts before opening to ensure streets are protected from potential traffic rat-runs from day one.
Accordingly, Council has commissioned consultants to undertake traffic modelling to identify potentially-affected streets, and to develop a WestConnex Local Area Improvement Strategy (LAIS) to protect these streets.
The LAIS is intended to guide the design and ultimately implementation of a series of traffic calming schemes to protect streets from WestConnex-related traffic.
The proposed treatments are indicative and will required further investigation and community engagement before final draft schemes can be considered
The estimated total cost of LAIS works is up to $29 million, and it is intended that Council seeks funding from RMS for these works, arguing that RMS funding is justified as WestConnex has created the need for the works.
Subject to funding, the LAIS would be implemented in a similar way that all of Council’s Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) schemes are implemented – involving local community consultation, detailed design, approval by Traffic Committee and Council and finally implementation.
Officer's report to 8 May 2018 Council meeting
To view the officer’s report on the WestConnex LAIS, visit Council's business papers and minutes page.
Final LAIS report
The final WestConnex LAIS report is available here. It comprises the main report by Beca Australia, and a traffic modelling report by Veitch Lister Consulting (Appendix E).
Council is taking steps to secure the best possible outcomes for the residents of the inner west.
- Council does not accept that Sydney Motorway Corporation's (SMC)
proposal is the best or only way of delivering better transport for
Sydney.
- Engaging experts to understand the impact of the work by
conducting traffic modelling, analyse the M4 - M5 Link design plans and
investigate the proposed dive site in Leichhardt. Council has committed
$500,000 to ensure we have the best possible analysis and advice.
- Advocating for more green space and better use of residual lands.
- Ensuring the project complies with its obligations to local communities.
- Investigating improvements to the proposed Linear Park between Rozelle and North Annandale
- Providing legal advice for residents whose properties are being acquired
- Advocating against local dive sites
- Holding a regular Council WestConnex community liaison forum
- Commissioning legal advice
It’s up to all of us to stay informed about the project and get behind Council’s efforts to stand up for the inner west.
Predicting traffic impacts
Inner West Council has funded a $250,000 traffic study to help us
understand the impacts of WestConnex on inner west streets and protect
our residents from the impacts.
It looks at the likely ‘rat runs’ on local streets in Haberfield,
Ashfield, St Peters, Tempe, Rozelle and Leichhardt, as motorists try to
avoid tolls and move between the portals or into the city.
The State Government says it won’t address this problem until a year
after WestConnex opens – but steps can and must be taken before the
motorway opens.
The traffic study helps us to protect our community. It helps
us to identify traffic calming measures – street narrowings, angle
parking, landscaping and slow points – which can be put in place before
the impact occurs.
This is the proactive approach needed to increase pedestrian and
cyclist safety, discourage rat runs and keep traffic on main roads by
making it the easiest option.
Take a look at a map of likely rat runs across the inner west once WestConnex opens here. (PDF 3.8MB)
What local outcomes can be improved?
More green space
Council has lobbied for residual WestConnex lands to become new green
spaces or community facilities, and for playing fields over the Rozelle
interchange. We will fight to ensure all lands benefit and can be used
by our community.
Increased active transport
Council is advocating for new active transport (walking and cycling)
routes, like parkland and a bike track alongside Victoria Road.
Fewer cars on surface roads
Council has successfully pushed for more of the motorway to be located underground, in particular the Rozelle interchange.
Increased public transport
Council is lobbying for a Guided Electric Transit system on
Parramatta Road, which is cost effective, used globally and could be in
place from day one of WestConnex.
Expert analysis
Council committed $250,000 to have expert engineering, air
pollution and transport consultants analyse the M4-M5 Link design and
Environmental Impact Statement. It will help us to assess the documents
quickly, propose real and practical improvements and have the evidence
to lobby for better outcomes for our residents.
Increased enforcement
With work in Haberfield intensifying, Council has approached the
State Government to enable us to help monitor construction crews, make
sure they are complying with their construction conditions and using
approved routes – and penalise those that are not.
Work with Council to protect our local community
With your help we can work together to protect our community from WestConnex
Public meetings
Council regularly holds public meetings to gain valuable
community feedback on key construction and operational affects of WestConnex.
Council's WestConnex Unit
The WestConnex Unit’s role includes:
- ensuring resident concerns are addressed in current and future stages of the project
- voicing resident objections
- ensuring Council is represented at WestConnex meetings
- allowing more coordinated and effective advocacy on the project
- undertaking key submissions that consider impacts on local communities
- working to get the best outcomes for the community.
Contact the unit with enquiries about WestConnex that matter to you.
Phone 9392 5219 or email westconnex@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
Compliance Officer
The WestConnex Compliance Officer's role includes:
- making sure construction crews are complying with their development consent including; breaches on noise or air pollution, out of hours work, salvaging of heritage items or vegetation removal
- if the Officer determines that a breach has taken place,
he can take action ranging from warning letters to the issuing of fines
as well as orders to rectify. He can also, if a breach is significant,
recommend legal action.
Contact the Compliance Officer if you believe construction crews are not complying with their approval.
Phone 9274 6306 or 1300 305 695 or via email atcompliance@planning.nsw.gov.au (Attention: WestConnex).
The WestConnex Unit is constantly working on various submissions and reports in a continued effort to ensure that Sydney Motorway Corporation is aware of the needs and requirements of local residents. Submissions can be found in each of the relevant Stages of WestConnex areas.
You can read all of the information and submissions of the previous councils at:
Legal Advice
Advice from prominent Sydney barrister Tim Robertson SC has indicated
that there is no chance of Inner West Council mounting a successful
legal challenge against the unpopular WestConnex motorway project.
You can view the advice below:
Given the expert advice received to date, Council will not proceed with any legal action.
Tim Robertson SC is an Australian barrister who specializes in environmental, public, international, constitutional, property, native title and media law.
Mr Robertson’s advice examined the three approvals currently granted to the WestConnex project, namely, the M4 widening, the M4 East and the New M5. Mr Robertson considered both the approval process and the approvals granted as a result of the process.
Due to the restrictive nature of the State Government legislation under which WestConnex approvals are given, legal appeals cannot address
the merits of the project, but must instead rely on flaws in the legal process to have any prospect of success.
In Mr Robertson’s opinion, as outlined in the conclusion to his advice, “the decisions to approve the M4 widening, New M4 East and New M5 are … unassailable on legal grounds.”
Council's dilapidation report service
Council is offering to those property owners who are affected by Stage 3 of the M4-M5 Link project a dilapidation report prior to commencement of works. Visit the dilapidation reports page for more information.
Media Releases
For information on how Council has been lobbying to protect our residents from the effects of WestConnex, please see our media releases:
Meetings with Sydney Motorway Corporation
WestConnex Community Liaison Forum
The purpose of the WestConnex Community Liaison Forum is to:
- Provide forum members with a regular forum to raise issues of
concern with WestConnex with senior staff to enable Council to respond
to those concerns and/or seek responses from State Government.
- Enable Inner West Council to share with forum members and obtain
member views on key initiatives being undertaken by Council to oppose
WestConnex
- Enable forum members to raise traffic, environmental and other
WestConnex construction concerns with Inner West Council to enable
Council to pursue those issues with State Government
- Enable forum members to disseminate information to their constituent members regarding WestConnex
Terms of Reference have been prepared and adopted for the WestConnex Community Liaison Forum and are available here: (PDF 68KB)
WestConnex Community Liaison Forum Minutes
Minutes 6 December 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 54.9KB)
Minutes 1 November 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 75.3KB)
Minutes 4 October 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 81KB)
Minutes 6 September 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 148.6KB)
Minutes 2 August 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 63.9KB)
Minutes 5 July 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 89.1KB)
Minutes 7 June 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 113KB)
Minutes 3 May 2018 Westconnex Liaison Forum (PDF 63.4KB)
Minutes 6 April 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 76KB)
Minutes 1 March 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 413.8KB)
Minutes 1 February 2018 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 248.3KB)
Minutes 7 December 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 249KB)
Minutes 2 November 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 232.4KB)
Minutes 5 October 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 180.8KB)
Minutes 7 September 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 194KB)
Minutes 3 August 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 191.6KB)
Minutes 6 July 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 183.4KB)
Minutes 1 June 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 177.4KB)
Minutes 4 May 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 183.3KB)
Minutes 7 April 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 249.4KB)
Minutes 2 March 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 243.6KB)
Minutes 2 February 2017 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 257.4KB)
Minutes 1 December 2016 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 218.6KB)
Minutes 27 October 2016 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 43.3KB)
Minutes 29 September 2016 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 33.3KB)
Minutes 25 August Meeting 2016 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 18.3KB)
Notes 28 July Meeting 2016 WestConnex Liaison Forum (PDF 20.4KB)
Ways to Have Your Say
Lobby the State Government
Contact your local State Member of Parliament, Minister for WestConnex, Minister for Roads, or the Premier.
Premier
Gladys Berejiklian MP
02 8574 5000 *
Email the Premier via this online form
*Can also try the Department of Premier and Cabinet, 02 9228 5555
Minister for WestConnex
Stuart Ayres MP
02 8574 6500
office@ayres.minister.nsw.gov.au
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight
Melinda Pavey MP
02 8574 7300
Email the minister via this online form
Member for Balmain
Jamie Parker MP
02 9660 7586
jamie.parker@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Member for Newtown
Jenny Leong MP
02 9517 2800
jenny.leong@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Member for Strathfield
Jodi McKay MP
02 9747 1711
jodi.mckay@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Member for Summer Hill
Jo Haylen MP
02 9572 5900
summerhill@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Member for Heffron
Ron Hoenig MP
02 9699 8166
heffron@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Contact Sydney Motorway Corporation
Comment to Sydney Motorway Corporation: 1800 660 248 or info@westconnex.com.au
Stage 1 enquiries: M4 East community team, 1800 660 248, info@m4east.com.au
Stage 2 enquiries: New M5 community team, 1800 660 248, info@newm5.com.au
Stage 3 enquiries: 1800 660 248 or info@m4-m5linktunnels.com.au
Join a community group
No WestConnex and No WestConnex Annandale:
http://nowpt.nationbuilder.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NoWestconnex/
https://www.facebook.com/nowestconnexannandale
@nowestconnex
WestConnex Action Group:
http://www.westconnexactiongroup.org.au/%20
https://www.facebook.com/westconnexactiongroup%20
@WestConnexAG
RAW (Rozelle Against WestConnex):
http://rozelleagainstwestconnex.org/
WestProtects
https://www.facebook.com/WestProtects
Leichhardt Against WestConnex
https://www.facebook.com/groups/163289874107214/?fref=nf
Every effort has been made to identify all of the local action
groups. If you are involved in a group that is not included here, please
email us at westconnex@innerwest.nsw.gov.au