Media Release – 17 September 2015
Greens Member for Newtown Jenny Leong congratulated Marrickville Council for its strong decision to seek a stop work order against the WestConnex Delivery Authority’s activities at the former Dial a Dump waste dump at St Peters.
Council voted on Tuesday night to immediately issue a stop work order on the site until the WestConnex Delivery Authority could confirm the activities being undertaken are the subject of a valid development consent or a valid exemption from Council development controls, subject to legal advice.
“My concern about what’s going on at the Alexandria land fill site has been growing daily with reports from local residents about possibly illegal truck movements and inadequate covers on trucks,” Ms Leong said.
“This is a site that was licensed to handle asbestos and other contaminated materials.
“The disregard of the local community by Roads Minister Duncan Gay is clear but putting the public’s safety at risk by the WestConnex Delivery Authority undertaking this action is completely unacceptable.
“There’s still no business case for WestConnex, there’s no environmental impact statement for the St Peters interchange, and he’s thrown all caution to the wind with this work at St Peters.
“I support Marrickville Council’s decision and applaud the work of the local Greens councillors, supported by local residents, who successfully urged Marrickville Council to take a tough stand.
“I acknowledge the strong stance taken by the Mayor against WestConnex.
“If we are going to stop this Motorway destroying the community we need to continue to stand together.”
Clr Ellsmore, who moved the amendments at the Marrickville Council meeting, said "As the local council we are responsible for ensuring that developers - whether they are the State Government or not - are operating under valid development consents and aren't putting the health of our residents and our local environment at risk.
“We have had numerous reports from residents about dangerous and potentially unauthorised activities being undertaken by contractors for the WestConnex Delivery Authority.
“The motion passed on Tuesday night was a commitment from the Council that, if we have the power and these breaches are occurring, we will shut the site down."
“We will not allow the State Government's rush to fast track this project to put the health of our residents or environment at risk."
The amendments were supported by the Greens, the Mayor, the ALP and some of the independent Councillors.
