Sydney light rail: Greenies rush to demand station be named for park, not racecourse

TREE-HUGGING greenies have convinced state government boffins to stop the light rail’s station outside the gates of Randwick racecourse from being named Royal Randwick.

A still from a transport department video shows an artist’s impression of how the new South East Light Rail along Alison Rd at Randwick would look.

TREE-HUGGING greenies have convinced state government boffins to stop the light rail’s key station outside the gates of Randwick racecourse from being named ‘Royal Randwick’.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal they have flooded the Geographical Names Board with submissions convincing the bureaucrats the name is “too controversial”, with ‘Centennial Park’ more ­appropriate.

The kooky conservationists have claimed as the construction of the light rail resulted in the removal of “big, beautiful and well-loved” trees, Centennial Park should be compensated by having a station named after it.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian inspects progress on the Sydney Light Rail at Randwick on Wednesday with general foreman Tori McGinity. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The state government had pushed for the station name to reflect the geographical destination of Royal Randwick, believing thousands of racegoers and event goers will rely on the stop to attend events all year round.

However, it is understood the Geographical Names Board, which signs off on the naming of major locations, is set to advise the government that ‘Royal Randwick’ won’t be supported and it should propose another alternative or agree to Centennial Park.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian refused to be drawn on when it would be completed, with her gov­ernment facing a legal battle with Acciona.

Sydney light rail map show the Randwick spur.

The state government is believed to be aware of the pending decision.

The number of submissions received by the Geographical Names Board over the project is one of the largest it has ever experienced, including nearly 2000 sig­natures alone in the Australian Turf Club’s 40-page submission backing ‘Royal Randwick’.

Randwick Greens councillor Murray Matson said many “big, beautiful and well-loved trees” had been removed in construction of the light rail.

“We believed the loss of the trees should have been commemorated with an ­appropriate name,” Mr Matson said.

“We were blindsided by that. Many residents were very bitter.”

He said the rail stop should advertise a park ­instead of a racecourse, despite it being right outside the track.

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“The park is truly the destination,” Mr Matson said.

It’s the latest blow to the $2 billion project, which has been dogged by a construction go-slow by Spanish subcontractor Acciona.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she is committed to naming the light rail stop Royal Randwick.

“The government’s position is we think that stop should be called Royal Randwick ... I didn’t realise the Geographical Names Board has issue with that. Our intention is to call it Royal Randwick and if that’s under consideration I’ll have to take advice but our intention is for that to be called Royal Randwick.”