The footprint of the draft Bells Line of Road – Castlereagh Connection road corridor can still be refined through constructive community consultation, according to Hawkesbury MP Dominic Perrottet.
Speaking to the Gazette on Tuesday, Mr Perrottet acknowledged the proposal was “a very sensitive issue” and preparing for future road corridors to accommodate Sydney’s growth “could be incredibly challenging” for communities like the Hawkesbury.
While many residents had become cynical about the consultation process, Mr Perrottet said getting information to thousands of people in the first instance was logistically challenging but denied it was simply a box-ticking exercise by Transport for NSW.
The consultation being conducted was “genuine” and the footprint of the corridor could yet be changed, he said.
“There is no doubt that it [the footprint of the road corridor] can be refined,” he said. “I don’t believe that the consultation – particularly the … first public consultation forum – was held very well, [but] I think they have improved.
“I accept that there will always be a view of cynicism in terms of, ‘are you just letting me vent and is it a box-ticking exercise’. I don’t believe that’s the case.
“I know people say, ‘this is the first time I’ve heard of it’. Well, this is the start of that consultation for this period. As local Member any genuine concerns that are raised – of which there will be a number – I will be taking on board and raising with the relevant minister.”
Residents whose properties appear in the direct path of the corridor have also expressed dissatisfaction at the fact they have been unable to view all the identified options.
When asked if residents would be able to see all options put forward for the corridor, Mr Perrottet said he wanted to get “all the case studies first” that outline specific concerns, and urged residents to share their stories.
“I don’t think it’s been handled in the most sensitive way possible and as part of this consultation phase I want to hear every single story from every single resident,” he said.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, so I think it’s very important for the government’s perspective over the course of this consultation period, that has been extended, for all that information to come forward and that should inform any potential change in route.
“As challenging and as sensitive as this is, it is a consultation phase and I’m very open to hearing the individual concerns on a case-by-case basis and advocating for that change to the minister.
“We’ve seen that occur in the past through constructive consultation, for example on the M9 orbital route with the Windsor Downs community.
“It’s a very difficult issue and at the same time I certainly want to make sure that every single home owner or business owner in Hawkesbury gets a fair hearing, and that we get the best result possible.”
Mr Perrottet has also been criticised for not personally attending the two Transport for NSW information sessions at Kurrajong and North Richmond, however told the Gazette he had sent representatives from his office to both.
He labelled comments against him by Macquarie MP Susan Templeman and Hawkesbury Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett – both of whom attended the sessions – as “politicising” the issue.
“It’s typically once again all care and no responsibility,” he said. “It’s very easy to politicise these issues rather than actually have a constructive dialogue on them.”
Mr Perrottet said State Parliament would be sitting on May 2, the day a public meeting has been organised to take place on the issue at Hawkesbury showground.