City approves extra $40 million for light rail

The City of Sydney Council has approved an extra $40 million to go towards the State Government’s CBD and South East Light Rail project, bringing the City’s total financial contribution to $220 million.

At Monday night’s Council meeting, councillors agreed to hand over the additional funds, requested by NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, even though the exact nature of the spend is unclear and a final route through Surry Hills has not been determined.

The light rail has become a source of concern for the Surry Hills community, with residents of the Olivia Gardens apartment block at the top of Devonshire St believed to be in the path of the project, which may require the compulsory acquisition and demolition of all 69 apartments in the complex.

Dozens of other properties may also be affected, with potential effects ranging from minor noise issues to outright demolition.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has called for a tunnel under Devonshire St or the line to be re-routed along Oxford St, but Ms Berejiklian has categorically ruled both options out, making a surface route along Devonshire St the most likely scenario.

Labor Councillor Linda Scott attempted to deliver greater security for affected residents, proposing the $40 million requested by Ms Berejiklian be used for a “fairness fund” to assist affected residents in purchasing new homes in the neighbourhood, and measures such as soundproofing.

“I propose that this $40 million go towards helping people to modify their homes to cope with the path of the light rail or supporting residents who will have to sell, and who may have trouble re-purchasing in Surry Hills,” she said.

Ms Moore called a special ten-minute recess to allow all councillors to properly digest Ms Scott’s proposal, which was ultimately rejected when the meeting re-convened, with Greens Councillor Irene Doutney the sole supporter.

Cr John Mant from the Clover Moore Independent Team said he voted against Ms Scott’s proposal as he felt it contravened the NSW Local Government Act.

“I don’t believe we can support this, even if we wanted to, as it would conflict with the Act,” he said.

Mr Mant said any noise issues for residents would be dealt with via the environmental impact statement (EIS) process, and opined that residents who had to sell would probably receive a price above market value.

“Experience tells us residents subject to compulsory acquisition, particularly in cities, generally receive over and above market value for their homes,” he said.

However, while Council rejected Ms Scott’s proposal, there was broad consensus that Council would support Surry Hills residents by providing as much information as possible, and facilitating meetings between Transport for NSW officials and local residents, making venues available free of charge.

Ms Berejiklian has already met with several members of PUSH (People Unite Surry Hills) and will be meeting with the general public at a City of Sydney-hosted event in the coming days.

Ms Scott said the outcome was a win for Surry Hills residents, who had been kept in the dark since the light rail project was officially announced in December last year.

“It’s vitally important that residents get some security and stability around this issue,” she said.