Residents of Moorebank, Wattle Grove and the rest of East Liverpool will wake up to some bad news this Thursday morning, December 17, 2015: the NSW Department of Planning has given the green light to concept plans for the Moorebank Intermodal Company (MIC).
The decision, which comes just nine days out from Christmas Day, is not the end of the line for the residents, who have just had a meeting with Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons to work out their next move in opposing this development.
But concept approval means they will be forced to refocus their opposition.
The Member for Holsworthy said on learning of the decision earlier last evening: “I am disappointed and gutted for our community that the department has recommended concept approval.
“The community will get another chance to have our say at the independent Planning Assessment Commission in the new year – but I am disappointed that it has gotten this far.
“I can only hope that the PAC sees common sense and rejects this proposal.
“I will request to speak at the PAC, and I would like to encourage others to do so to.
“The Department has recommended that the approval have several conditions including establishing a 24 hour complaints hotline, and limits on traffic movements, construction and operation noise and on dust.
“A 24 hour complaints hotline would only be needed if there was a strong likelihood of complaints – surely that shows how inappropriate that is for our area.
“The MIC will still need to consider traffic mitigation and road upgrade needs but it will require a great deal of work for a terminal that the community and I believe would be more suited elsewhere, such as at Badgerys Creek.
“No one with any local knowledge would accept this proposal as being worthwhile for this area. We have done the research and can see how destructive it would be.
“It should never have gotten this far, but I know our community will again band together to speak up for what is right and just.
“If anyone would like to be contacted when we have a date for the PAC, or to find out how to register to speak, they should feel welcome to contact me on 9825 3653 or Holsworthy@parliament.nsw.gov.au and I will be sure to assist,” Ms Gibbons said.
