Residents have reacted with cautious relief to the announcement the State Government will take the exhibited road corridor between Castlereagh and Kurrajong Heights off the table.
Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres, Roads Minister Melinda Pavey and Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced on June 22 the government would continue with the previously gazetted 1951 corridor for the Bells Line of Road – Castlereagh Connection, and “relinquish the section of previously exhibited Bells Line of Road corridor from Castlereagh to Kurrajong Heights”.
It would also “relinquish the section of the Outer Sydney Orbital north of Richmond Road while continuing to work with the Department of Planning and Environment and local councils on future options, with a view of mitigating any further impact on homes”, they stated.
“We received constructive feedback from right across the community...,” Mr Ayres stated. “We have listened to feedback and will continue to make refinements to the exhibited corridors as we work through the submissions made during the exhibition.”
The Bells Line of Road Corridor Action Group (BLORCAG) welcomed the announcement, however stated the government “needs to clarify further details surrounding its change of heart”.
It called for all affected households to receive written confirmation of the withdrawal of the corridor proposal “immediately”.
“While we are delighted to see the government has listened to our concerns, given the immediate nature of the initial acquisition announcement we would expect the them to be equally efficient in notifying residents that their property is no longer affected,” BLORCAG spokesperson Kathryn Williams said in a statement.
"The sudden nature of the initial announcement created immense anxiety for those people whose properties sat directly within the corridor, and the Government has a duty to rectify it immediately now they have announced its removal.
“Simply announcing the scrapping of the corridor is not sufficient to allay our fears, and on behalf of the residents affected, BLORCAG urges the Government to clarify several key points.”
BLORCAG has requested the government clarify whether an alternative route will be created, if plans for a motorway crossing of the Blue Mountains through the Hawkesbury exist, and if a business case would be prepared.
“It is vital that residents are reassured the corridor is either permanently off the table, or that they will be consulted early, and in a transparent manner, should the government continue to pursue a crossing of the ranges to the Central West,” Ms Williams said.
“BLORCAG will continue to support affected residents and lobby on their behalf until these questions are answered.”
Hawkesbury MP Dominic Perrottet, said the decision was a result of strong feedback from the public to the investigation of the proposed road corridor and would save 208 properties.
“This is a great win for Hawkesbury community and I want to thank them for taking time to give excellent feedback during the consultation period,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I was able to take the communities’ strong response straight to the heart of government and advocate on their behalf. Their voices have been heard loud and clear and the government has responded accordingly.”
