WestConnex: Jo Haylen, Pauline Lockie urge NSW Government to deliver on promises

With the WestConnex nearing completion, councillors and state MPs from the inner west are calling on the state government to deliver on its promised green spaces and public transport lanes.

Artist impression of future Rozelle parklands, anticipated to reach completion in 2023

With the WestConnex project nearing completion, Inner West councillors and state MPs are urging the state government to deliver on its promises.

Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen and Inner West independent councillor Pauline Lockie are calling on the NSW Government to swiftly provide its promised public transport lanes and green spaces to make up for the disruption caused by WestConnex construction.

Speaking soon after the opening of 7.5km tunnels which link the M4 and M8 at St Peters and Haberfield, Cr Lockie said Inner West residents have witnessed increased traffic on local roads since WestConnex opened — congestion which, she says, increases as each stage is completed.

“Inner West Council released a study back in 2018 that showed it would cost around $30 million to implement the traffic calming measures that would be needed to reduce the impacts of WestConnex, and asked the NSW Government to fund this given WestConnex is a state project,” Cr Lockie said.

“But the NSW Government hasn’t provided this funding, even though it’s just a fraction of the billions they’ve spent building WestConnex in the Inner West.”

Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen. Picture: Gaye Gerard.

Inner West Councillor Pauline Lockie.

Cr Lockie also called upon the state government to complete traffic calming and public space projects, including dedicated public transport lanes on Parramatta Rd, the Sydney Park Junction project, and the St Peters Interchange Park.

“Inner West residents have suffered through years of WestConnex construction,” she said.

Artist impression of the promised Rozelle Parklands.

“The very least the NSW Government can do is fund and deliver the projects that will mitigate its ongoing impact on our community, and it should do this as a matter of urgency.”

Shadow transport spokeswoman and Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen also pointed to public transport and public space projects which were in the planning conditions for WestConnex.

“This project is almost complete, but inner westies are still waiting for the two lanes dedicated to public transport which the Liberals promised years ago,” Ms Haylen said.

“(They also) promised dedicated sporting fields, a tennis court and street parking at the Rozelle Parklands to make up for the disruption caused by construction and they broke that promise too.”

Artist impression of the future Rozelle parklands, anticipated to reach completion in 2023.

What it could look like … artist impression of the Rozelle Parklands.

In a statement, a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the state government remained committed to delivering the public transport improvements and promised green spaces.

“Transport for NSW is investigating improvements to transport services along Parramatta Rd in line with the future transport network,” she said.

The spokeswoman also said the state government was working on options with key stakeholders for the green space at St Peters and the Sydney Park Junction project.

“Major construction of the Rozelle Parklands will start early this year and the park will be open to the public when the M4-M5 Rozelle Interchange Link reaches completion at the end of this year,” she said.

When complete, Rozelle Parklands will boast 10ha of green space, featuring multipurpose sporting fields and courts, as well as a pond, landscaped gardens, barbecues and playgrounds.