Councillor Ross Grove

The state Labor government should outline which community projects will be funded from money made available from sale of 7 hectares in surplus land from Sydney Water’s Guildford Pipehead site, Liberal Councillor Ross Grove said today.

“If Sydney Water want to cash in on the sale of public land then we ought to benefit in the form of improved local infrastructure – let’s not forget that it’s our land they’re selling after all.

“Right now the only rock solid guarantee we’re getting from the state government is that they’re hell-bent on selling off OUR land.

“My biggest concern with this whole project is that they’ll profit from our loss of public land only to have the proceeds from the sale spent in a entirely different region of Sydney.

“After decades of Labor representation our votes have been taken for granted. Now is the time for them to spend our local money on our local infrastructure.”

Projects the money could be spent on include the proposed new building for the STATE Emergency Services in Guildford (currently being funded by council) and the full funding required to renovate and repair Linwood House – one of the oldest and most well preserved homes in the local area (currently owned by the Dept of Planning.)

“Right across the road from where Sydney Water want to sell off public land is Guildford West Public School – surely we can use some of the proceeds to boost their facilities.” Clr Grove said.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, the City of Holroyd resolved to begin the expansion of Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) to cover any new development Sydney Water might want to put at their Guildford site. Clr Grove lobbied to ensure that the natural and built heritage features were incorporated into the plan.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ross Grove on 0412 897 130