Residents protest WestConnex tree destruction

May 13, 2017
Issue 
Protest in Sydney Park on May 6 as contractors destroy more trees.

Residents and supporters held a protest in Sydney Park on May 6, when contractors for the controversial $17 billion WestConnex tollway moved in to destroy more trees for the St Peters interchange.

The works are part of the project's push to remove more than 800 trees in Sydney Park, St Peters and Alexandria to allow widening of roads around the planned interchange.

"There appears to be no end to the [Gladys] Berejiklian government's destruction of our trees, communities and desperately needed green spaces for WestConnex, and residents have had enough," Pauline Lockie, WestConnex Action Group (WAG) spokesperson, said on May 6.

“It’s completely unacceptable for the Berejiklian [Coalition] government to keep vandalising our city for WestConnex, which would create traffic gridlock around Sydney Park — and slug western Sydney drivers huge tolls to drive straight into this mess."

Meanwhile, members of the Action for Public Transport NSW (APTNSW) group have taken action to expose the state government's further disastrous plan to extend WestConnex under Sydney Harbour and up to the Northern Beaches of the city. They have handed out leaflets at all the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link "community feedback" sessions. 

No WestConnex/Public Transport group explained: "This project is another $20 billion wasted on toll roads. It is designed to funnel more cars into the WestConnex Ponzi scheme, connecting at the proposed Rozelle interchange.

"APTNSW are telling people about a Beaches Rail alternative that would carry over three times as many people. They will be joined by Rozelle Against WestConnex on May 20 when the sessions move to Balmain."

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