Local Libs bring shadow minister out to discuss road Hazzard
Liberal Councillors Ross Grove (Holroyd) and Zaya Toma (Fairfield) have joined together to bring Shadow Planning Minister Brad Hazzard out to visit the site where the state government approved the construction of a major arterial road to service a new industrial estate due inside the Southern Employment Lands at Greystanes.
Councillors Grove and Toma were joined by members of the Canal Reserve Action Group who are concerned that the new road’s design will undermine the safety of those who use the Lower Prospect Canal Reserve.
“We want the state opposition to hold these guys to account. After taking our planning powers away, they’ve gone ahead and approved construction of a dangerous road – a flood hazard and a safety hazard.” Clr Grove said today.
“It just goes to show what happens when you let ivory tower bureaucrats make the decisions instead of people connected to the local community.
“If this road proceeds as planned, it will make Reconciliation Drive the only part of the canal reserve where the cycleway is broken up by a set of traffic lights.
“We’re talking about a major truck thoroughfare, and the plan undermines the entire purpose of the cycleway in the first place – to provide local kids with a safe place to ride their bikes.”
Fairfield Councillor Zaya Toma was also critical of the proposal to designate Reconciliation Drive as the responsibility of local councils, citing evidence of a state government which sought all of the power but none of the responsibility.
“Reconciliation Drive will pass through three separate council jurisdictions. It will connect interstate and regional freight to interstate and regional roads. It ought to be built to state government standards and managed by the RTA.” Clr Toma said.
“The whole idea that the state government can stuff up an approval process so severely and expect local ratepayers to pick up the pieces is just plain wrong. The only people who should pay to fix the problems created are the people who create them.”
Shadow Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said the Coalition has already committed to scrapping the Part3A planning approvals which take powers away from the local community. He also committed to using his clout as a shadow minister to put pressure on Boral and the state government to investigate/resolve the matter.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Clr Ross Grove (Holroyd Liberal Councillor) – 0412 897 130
Clr Zaya Toma (Fairfield Liberal Councillor) – 0450 924 933
Fred Crowe (Canal Reserve Action Group) – 02 9725 4015
Brad Hazzard (Shadow Planning Minister) – 02 9230 2716
Pictures attached.
