Unknown timeline for M9 Orbital gazettal
Over a year since the NSW Government backflipped on its original plan for the controversial M9 Orbital, it appears the route is no closer to being gazetted.
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Over a year since the NSW Government backflipped on its original plan for the controversial M9 Outer Sydney Orbital, it appears the route is no closer to being gazetted.
More than 200 affected property owners remain in the dark about their future, with a Transport for NSW spokeswoman unable to provide details to the Chronicle about when the route would be finalised and gazetted.
“Transport for NSW is continuing to refine the corridors that were exhibited in mid-2018 and changed due to community feedback as per the NSW Government announcement on June 22 2018,” she said.
“Community consultation is key to the success of corridor preservation — that’s why we’re in the process of refining the corridor options exhibited last year.
“Discussions have been held with landowners and community members at key locations as we consider the future alignment.”
Following fierce community backlash last year, the government announced a 11km tunnel from the southeast of Cawdor Rd to the north of Cobbitty Rd which leaves the communities of Cawdor, Grasmere, Ellis Lane and Brownlow Hill relatively untouched.
Camden state Liberal MP Peter Sidgreaves told the Chronicle he had been chasing information about the gazettal of the eight-lane motorway, but hadn’t been successful.
“I have been pursing this since I got into parliament,” he said.
“I would like it (gazetted) as soon as possible. I would say by the end of this year is fair and reasonable.”
The Member for Camden suggested the government may have shifted to other infrastructure priorities.
“The investment the government has made on so many different projects could be a possibility for why it hasn’t been gazetted.”
Andrew Simpson, who founded a 4600-strong Facebook action group with his wife Jess when the draft corridor was first announced last year, said the unknown timeline for gazettal was concerning.
“From what we understand, there are no timelines other than what the Member for Camden previously indicated (mid-2019),” he said.
“For those property owners still affected, there is a large amount of unknown and stress on what will happen with their properties and when.
“This unknown timeline can really be quite detrimental.”
Mr Simpson called on the government to revisit the M9 Outer Sydney Orbital project on a “holistic” level, believing there are more cost-effective and viable options.