An inner west community group has accused the transport minister of making excuses in relation to the GreenWay and is demanding the project be presented in the upcoming budget.
The tug-of-war between the NSW Government and “Friends of the GreenWay” has lasted for over
a decade but the recent buy-out of Metro Transport Sydney, the company that owns the light rail and the monorail, has brought the topic to the fore.
The acquisition means the state government has the power to build the GreenWay – a five kilometre pedestrian and cycle way – immediately.
The project would connect the banks of the Cooks River in Dulwich Hill with Sydney Harbour at Iron Cove in Leichhardt and create a linear park of protected open space.
But the transport minister alleges the costs are too high and building the GreenWay would delay the Governments priority of building the light rail extension.
In February, residents submitted a petition with more than 10,000 signatures to prompt discussion in parliament.
GreenWay supporters were further enraged by the news of a scheduled debate on May 31 since it is more than one month after the NSW Transport Master Plan Discussion Paper is finalised on April 27.
Members of Friends of the GreenWay and two Labor MPs have claimed the state transport minister Gladys Berejiklian was slow to act on a February petition in support of the GreenWay.
In response, Ms Berejiklian said: “The Government’s decision to defer the project was based on significant design issues that would have delayed construction of the Inner West Light Rail Extension.”
The mayors of Marrickville, Leichhardt, Ashfield and Canterbury have banded together in support, taking the position a deferral is inefficient since building both in conjunction would mean less disruption.
The GreenWay is projected at $37 million.
A Friends of the GreenWay spokesperson, Jennifer Kent said the group demands a breakdown of the proposed $37 million.
She said the government has already spent at least $12 million on research for the intended joint project.
By Florencia Melgar
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