Public is invited to have its say on proposed open space and sporting facilities around the WestConnex interchange at St Peters

RESIDENTS living around the WestConnex interchange being built near Sydney Park have been given the first glimpses of what new open space and recreational facilities will be provided.

An artist's impression of the public open space near the St Peters interchange contained in the WestConnex New M5 Draft Design Plan now out for public submissions.

RESIDENTS living around the WestConnex interchange being built near Sydney Park have been given their first glimpses of what new open space and recreational facilities will be provided.

The New M5 Draft Urban Design and Landscape Plan also provides details of ventilation stacks to be built above the motorway tunnels at the corner of Canal Rd and the Princes Highway at St Peters.

Released by the Sydney Motorway Corporation the plan shows that the former Alexandria landfill dump at St Peters is being transformed into 8.5ha of community space.

A 2.5ha slice of that space will include a full-size soccer field as well as options for multipurpose sports courts and walking paths linked to Sydney Park via a bridge.

About 6ha of the open space will be built in and around the spaghetti road junction where the New M5 will meet the M4-M5 Link.

WestConnex Minister Stuart Ayres said the State Government was proud to have the former landfill site enjoyed by local residents, while also delivering vital infrastructure for motorists.

The plan also invites community feedback on landscaping as well as pedestrian and cycling facilities in a new green corridor along Campbell St and Campbell Rd linking the Mascot town centre with Sydney Park, Simpson Park and Camdenville Park at St Peters.

An artist's impression of the pedestrian and cycle path on Campbell St, near Simpson Park, at St Peters, contained in the WestConnex New M5 Draft Design Plan now out for public submissions.

Mr Ayres said the plan details 12km of new and upgraded pedestrian, cycle and shared paths that will extend and improve transport links around St Peters and Mascot.

“With the delivery of WestConnex there are significant opportunities for urban renewal along the

project corridor to revitalise and transform open space for communities,” Mr Ayres said.

New M5 project director Ken Reynolds said WestConnex will also boost urban renewal across western Sydney.

“The draft plan reflects feedback received after extensive consultation with the community and

local councils and local residents now have another opportunity to help shape urban outcomes for their local area.”

Motorway critics said the ventilation stacks would disperse non-filtered, diluted vehicle exhaust emissions.

WestConnex Action Group’s Pauline Lockie said the stacks will spew unfiltered toxic fumes over homes and schools.

An artist's impression of the tunnel portal and ventilation facility for the WestConnex New M5 at the St Peters interchange.

“Gladys Berejiklian should halt work on this project before she becomes the Premier whose legacy will be a generation of diseases caused by unfiltered pollution,” Ms Lockie said.

“This so-called ‘open green space’ will be surrounded by the noise, stench and pollution caused by WestConnex’s unfiltered stacks, giant flyovers and six-lane highways.

An artist’s impression of the WestConnex interchange at St Peters now under construction.

“It would be a toxic place for people to even walk past, let alone play sports or spend time in.”

The design plan is on exhibition until 30 April at www.westconnex.com.au/newm5draftUDLP.

An information session is being held on Wednesday night from 5pm to 8pm at the New M5 Community Information Centre, 27 Burrows Rd, St Peters.