AN INQUIRY into the Windsor Bridge Replacement Project won’t stop it, but could cause the government embarrassment if flaws in its decision making is exposed according to the head of the inquiry, Robert Brown MLC.
On November 16, it was announced a broad inquiry by the NSW Legislative Council would be held, to examine many aspects of the project and the current bridge.
The RMS has told The Gazette that it will not halt the project because it would increase costs and cause delays.
The inquiry will be done by the Portfolio Committee No.5 - Industry and Transport, and will be headed up by Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Brown.
Brown said a visit to Thompson Square with objectors to the project had convinced him an inquiry was a good idea.
“I was a bit surprised given it was the first I had really heard of the other side of the argument,” he said.
“Most of the information we had heard was from Duncan Gay who was the Roads Minister at that time.
“Spending a bit of time up there watching trucks rumble through the intersection one after the other, it was quite obvious was there might have been something in what these people were saying.”
Mr Brown said he was impressed by the dedication of Community Action for Windsor Bridge, which has protested non-stop for more than four years.
“If people are prepared to do that, then obviously there is a lot of heat in the community regarding the decision by the RMS,” he said.
However, Mr Brown said the inquiry would not halt the project, and may never have a tangible effect.
He said the end result of the inquiry was the committee would issue a number of recommendations and from there, it was up to the government whether they adopted any of those.
“I doubt it would stop the project,” he said.
“The government doesn't have to take any cognisance of the recommendations, but if there have been problems with the decision making, it might cause them some political problems.”
He added though that if flaws in the decision making process were exposed, it could lead to action by other bodies.
Mr Brown encouraged anyone who wished to make a submission to the inquiry. Deadlines for the submissions are January 28, 2018.
Hawkesbury councillor and former CAWB president Peter Reynolds said he was stoked the inquiry would take place.
“This is where we will get the opportunity to put our case forward so it can be examined objectively by the committee and the MPs,” he told The Gazette.
Greens councillor Danielle Wheeler also welcomed the inquiry.
"Greens and CAWB have tried to do this a number of times since 2012, but with Labor and Shooters on board now it could be done," she said.
The Gazette has approached Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet for comment but has not received one.
