Ratepayers to fund WestConnex protests

By Alexander Lewis

City of Sydney ratepayers will fund a community campaign coordinator to muster opposition to WestConnex.

In its latest act of defiance to the NSW government’s plans for the new motorway, the Council approved the payment of $15,000 to the community action group No WestConnex (NoW) for the role.

A NoW spokesperson said the group welcomed the funding in addition to the $7500 pledged by Marrickville Council.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore told Council at their June 29 meeting that based on an independent SGS review, WestConnex would not achieve its stated objectives.

“WestConnex will not help reduce traffic congestion in Sydney, and will divert funds from more effective public transport projects for Western Sydney,” Clr Moore said.

“Traffic congestion will be dramatically increased, undermining urban renewal on Parramatta Road. Significant traffic will be added to roads in the City of Sydney which are already at capacity.”

Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla said the funding of “a taxpayer-funded protest coordinator” was an act of vanity.

“Go ahead and hire your taxpayer funded protest coordinator to rouse your rusted on rabble whose noses are out of joint because the world might change,” he told the council meeting.

“You can’t stop the Internet, Uber, Airbnb, eBay, Amazon, and Lord Mayor you can’t stop the Westconnex.”

“This transport package was part of a general election campaign, if you want to run a separate Government in exile from Newtown I won’t try and stop you. Westconnex has the legitimacy of the ballot box,” he said.

NoW is also seeking funding from Leichhardt Council.