Green ban, red light for Metro
The state government faces yet another headache in its plans to site the proposed Pyrmont Metro station, with a meeting of the CFMEU voting to endorse a permanent green ban on four 130-year-old Victorian terraces in Union Square.
The motion passed unanimously at a meeting on Friday, where members voted to indefinitely affirm the existing interim green ban, imposed earlier in the month, until the threat to the site was lifted.
The ban means that union members refuse to carry out any demolition or construction work on or around the site, severely limiting the possibilities for any redevelopment of the location.
“It’s very gratifying to know that after so many years, that the union movement is still prepared to take a principled stand on heritage and environmental issues,” said legendary 1970s green ban campaigner, Jack Mundey.
Co-coordinator of the ‘Save Union Square’ campaign, Jean Stuart, described the result as “very exciting”.
The imposition of a permanent ban pits the CFMEU directly against the Rees Labor Government, which now finds its options severely curtailed. However, a spokesman from the Ministry of Transport said the decision did not alter the current situation. “The Sydney Metro Authority continues to examine the station configuration and entrance locations as part of finalising the detailed environmental assessment,” he said.
The dispute over the proposed Metro station site in Pyrmont is mirrored by a similar quarrel at Rozelle, where local businessowners are organising a rally on August 15 in protest against the government’s plans to site the station at the intersection of Victoria Road and Darling Street.
