Leichhardt Council needs to oppose WestConnex: Greens councillor Rochelle Porteous

LEICHHARDT Council should oppose the WestConnex tollway because it would lead to loss of homes, former mayor Rochelle Porteous says.

LEICHHARDT Council needed to oppose the WestConnex tollway because it would lead to homes and businesses being compulsorily acquired, former mayor Rochelle Porteous said.

The Greens councillor said the $10 billion project was "way too high a price for local residents and businesses" to pay.

Cr Porteous was responding to Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne's comments that the council was "not rushing to judgment" about the WestConnex.

The project, which would include a tunnel from Petersham to St Peters via Camperdown, was recommended by Infrastructure NSW as a top priority.

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The State Government has already announced $1.8 billion in funding for the project.

"We can't sit on the fence," Cr Porteous said.

"The inner west is calling out for better public transport, while this is just a private tollway. The urban renewal (along Parramatta Rd) will lead to compulsory acquisition. It will lead to a huge windfall for developers."

Labor's Cr Byrne said the WestConnex would have a huge impact on the inner west and careful consideration was needed by the council and community.

"I am not rushing to judgment but I have to say at the moment the plan for Parramatta Rd raises more questions than answers," Cr Byrne said.

Cr Byrne said Infrastructure NSW not releasing how many homes and businesses would be impacted was causing "anxiety" for residents along Parramatta Rd