Randwick Council support for CBD and South East Light Rail runs off track

SIX years after Randwick Council started campaigning for light rail to return to the southeast, councillors have unanimously voted for works to stop.

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SIX years after Randwick Council started campaigning for light rail to return to the southeast, councillors have unanimously voted for works to stop.

At Tuesday’s council meeting every councillor voted to call on Premier Mike Baird to cease works on the CBD and South East Light Rail in areas of “environmental or heritage sensitivity” to do an urgent design review to better protect the hundreds of trees still slated for removal in Randwick.

Alison Rd before tree removal. Picture: Randwick Council

Alison Rd after tree removal. Picture: Randwick Council

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said he was “disappointed” in the decision since the council had lobbied hard for light rail since 2010, when Greens councillor Murray Matson was mayor.

“It’s bizarre they now want to see construction grind to a halt,” he said.

“I am disappointed, but it won’t distract me from getting on with delivering light rail. This is a tough and complex build, but we’re absolutely determined to get on with delivering this project.”

Transport Minister Andrew Constance will not be deterred by Randwick Council’s latest move.

The State Government announced its commitment to build the light rail in December 2012. In 2014 Randwick Council signed an agreement with Transport for NSW to support the project and committed $68 million to help improve it for residents.

Randwick Labor councillor Tony Bowen — who lodged the motion — welcomed the State Government’s decision to extend the light rail to Randwick in 2012 while mayor.

But now leads the fight to pause the works with support from his Liberal and Greens colleagues.

A rally was held to save trees slated for removal on light rail route on February 14. Picture: Craig Wilson

“I support light rail, but I don’t believe what we’re getting is the best possible outcome,” he said.

He believed “modest changes” could be made to soften the project’s impact on the environment such as less overhead wiring to preserve trees and using grass on tracks.

Baby kookaburras were rescued from trees that were cut down on Wansey Rd, Randwick. Picture: Struggletown Vets

A baby brush tail possum rescued from Randwick Racecourse after tree felling on Alison Road. Picture: John Appleyard

“The new six-lane Anzac Pde corridor through the park illustrates changes get announced out of the blue, everything is not set in stone,” he said.

The move comes three weeks after construction hit Alison Rd and rallies were held opposing the destruction of 80 trees around Randwick and Moore Park.

A protest rally and "Mourning March" for the trees cut down near Centennial Park was held on January 16. Picture: Danny Aarons

Hours after council voted to see the works paused, a majority supported Cr Brendan Roberts’ motion to call on the government to extend the light rail to Maroubra — sooner rather than later.

Major work is underway in Alison Rd with tracks to be laid by November. The next southeast construction zone will be Anzac Pde, from Todman Ave to High St, which will start in May.