Two to be charged following WestConnex protest

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

Two men were charged with trespass on Saturday for occupying the roof of a home in Haberfield that will be demolished as part of the WestConnex toll road.

In recent weeks the WestConnex has erected hoarding along some properties but the actual demolition that will turn swathes of the suburb into a giant construction site has not yet begun.

Sixty year old, Paul Jeffery and Chris Elenor, 65, spent four hours on the roof of number one Wolseley Street Haberfield before being arrested by police.

The two sat casually on chairs of the roof of the house reading the paper and drinking coffee. The house is just one of many slated for demolition as part of the WestConnex toll road in Haberfield.

Mr Jeffery – who lives in Leichhardt – told City Hub that he wanted to stand in solidarity with those in Haberfield who had lost their homes. He said that there had been an abuse of process surrounding the forced acquisition of the homes.

“We’re in solidarity with the people in the area that are being chucked out of their houses and business.”

He said that it was wrong that some of the acquisitions were for only temporary worksites, and then sold off again.

“These are young people. We met couples who had only just bought their home. Within months of moving in, they were told their houses would be resumed, and we were so angry about this, we decided to join the meeting,” he said.

Many in the suburb are concerned about the demolition of homes in Haberfield because of the suburb’s heritage listing on the Register of the National Estate of Australia. It was created at the turn of the 20th Century and is listed because of the extent and uniformity of Federation era homes. It is estimated that 123 properties in the suburb will be demolished

Protestors surrounded the building and unsuccessfully tried to block rescue police as they entered the occupied property through the garden of a neighbouring house.

Mr Jeffery said he was angered “because of lack of process, lack of consultation.” He said one example was the New M5 where there had been 12,000 submissions put into the planning Office Environmental Impact Statement.

“All these submissions, done by expert people, have been summarily dismissed.”

“We will do further protests, it doesn’t stop here. Because of the publicity we’ve gained people are joining the movement. We have had calls from people over the weekend who want to support us,” Mr Jeffery said.

Mr Jeffrey said he understood that the police decided to charge the men because they had been involved in a similar style protest in the suburb a fortnight beforehand.

But according to Haberfield local Sharon Laura, “it was a peaceful nonviolent protest.” She said frustration with the process drove people to protest.

“It was an act of desperation, as people realise that this is being pushed through: the design, planning and execution. People will continue to do stuff for people who have lost their homes and the rest of us who will be paying the price through tolls, taxes, and lost opportunities”

According to Ms Laura there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the heritage conservation of the suburb. She has questioned the WestConnex Delivery Authority over whether or not houses to be demolished had been appropriately documented.

Ms Laura said there were significant unanswered questions over what would happen to some of the heritage elements of the houses, such as interior mantel pieces and window frames.

A WestConnex spokesperson said an independent heritage consultant is overseeing the identification and safe removal of items and material of heritage value.

“This includes photographic archival recording of buildings within the Haberfield conservation area and the Powells Estate conservation area in North Strathfield/Concord, and as well as detailed reporting of heritage items to be salvaged.”

“Heritage items are being carefully dismantled and removed by hand and then securely stored.  These items include terracotta roof tiles, timber front doors, leadlight windows and fireplaces.”

The spokesperson said that it would work, “in close collaboration,” with local councils to determine best way to use the items, and to make them available to local residents.

“A draft urban design and landscape plan will go on display mid-year for community feedback illustrating how some items will be used in the project’s urban design.”

“Once finalised with local councils, details of how residents can have access to the remaining heritage items will be made available,” the spokesperson said.

Ashfield council has strongly resisted the WestConnex M4 East and are still objecting to requests from Sydney Motorway Corporation to close foot paths, erect a huge sign and a telecommunications tower on Ashfield Park which is also heritage listed.