WestConnex motorway night works spurs protest

People protesting the construction of the WestConnex motorway will stage a rally at Camperdown tonight as contractors begin demolition for a tunnel dive site.

Matthew Harrigan at Newtown. Picture: Picture: Craig Wilson

People protesting the construction of the WestConnex motorway will stage a rally at Camperdown tonight as contractors begin demolition for a tunnel dive site.

Residents, community groups and politicians will gather at the corner of Mallett St and Parramatta Rd from 6pm to voice their frustrations.

These neighbours of Buruwan Park at Annandale were concerned it would be destroyed by construction. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

Tonight marks the start of demolition for WestConnex’s third stage, the M4-M5 Link tunnel, which will run between Haberfield and St Peters.

Tunnelling is not expected until June.

Coalition against WestCONnex spokeswoman Lesley Treleaven encouraged people to attend.

“We’ve seen the terrible damage done to hundreds of homes in the first two stages of WestConnex and the impacts on residents’ health, especially schoolchildren,” she said.

North Strathfield resident Umberto Galasso with cracks in his house which he says was caused by WestConnex tunnelling. Picture: Bob Barker

“Instead of recklessly pushing ahead, the Gladys Berejiklian government should stop construction until the NSW election in March, so that the people of NSW can vote on the continuation of WestConnex.”

Speakers at the rally will include Balmain state Greens MP Jamie Parker, Newtown state Greens MP Jenny Leong, City of Sydney Cr Jess Miller, and Inner West Crs Lou Steer, Pauline Lockie and Marghanita da Cru.