Sydenham to Bankstown rail project poll doesn’t explain development effect on residents: group
A “push poll” to gauge the community’s support for the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro rail project didn’t explain the development impact on residents, an opposition group says.
The Express
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A “push poll” to gauge the community’s support for the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro rail project didn’t explain the development impact on residents, an opposition group says.
It comes as the State Government prepares to release its amended Urban Renewal Corridor draft strategy to complement the new line.
Two agencies, the Knowledge Warehouse and Newgate Research, surveyed thousands of residents along the corridor with a series of 20 questions designed to paint a picture of community sentiment.
But Sydenham to Bankstown Corridor Alliance spokesman Peter Olive said the survey failed to explain the negative impacts associated with converting the existing heavy double decker line to a single deck Metro line.
“Obviously they (agencies) are supportive of this particular project and they are putting as much positive spin on it as they can and that’s why we think its push polling with a lot of half-truths in it,” Mr Olive said.
“Dumping development on a train line and building a new line where there is one already is a ridiculous solution for Sydney’s mass transport needs.”
A copy of the transcript given to call operators, seen by The Express, makes no mention of the State Government’s urban renewal plan near converted stations.
Draft plans outline converting 11 stations to a single deck Metro rail line, promising 15 fast trains per hour between Bankstown and Sydenham. It also proposes accelerating high-rise development within 400m of stations and gentrifying some suburbs with trendy dining and shopping strips.
The survey does ask residents if they are “concerned about the changes to my suburb as a result of increased property development associated with Sydney Metro”, however no detail on the plans is provided.
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman defended the polling.
“This questionnaire used industry-standard methods and guidelines to ensure the views of the community were accurately captured to allow planners and designers to take on board the community’s feedback,” she said.
“The questionnaire specifically addressed people’s concerns including inconvenience caused by construction, quality of public transport, changes to suburbs and the upgrade of two existing railway lines to metro standards.”
An environmental impact statement for the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro project will be released in mid-2017.
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