A competition to find a name for the aerotropolis hub while ignoring serious problems has been dubbed an insult to the intelligence of local residents.
Campbelltown MP and state opposition Western Sydney spokesman Greg Warren hasn’t missed with his response to the Berejiklian Government’s announcement of a naming competition, labelling it “tokenistic’’.
He is says the government focus should be on the raft of issues engulfing Western Sydney Airport (WSA) instead of trying to distract the region’s residents with naming contests.
He says this is an attempt to take the spotlight off the problems engulfing Western Sydney Airport and the aerotropolis.
These issues include:
The M12 Motorway that is currently two years behind schedule;
The absence of a train line south of the WSA to the Macarthur region;
Rapid bus links from Macarthur to WSA appearing to cut through well-established suburbs in the Campbelltown and Camden local government areas;
The delay in announcing details regarding the train line north of the airport to St Mary’s;
The refusal to build a fuel pipeline to WSA despite warnings the amount of fuel truck deliveries required each day could lead to unnecessary congestion, delays to freight corridors and increased dangers for motorists on roads surrounding the airport;
The lack of clarity around flights paths and how that will impact the region’s residents.
“Over the past nine and a half years, the NSW Liberals have repeatedly disrespected and neglected Western Sydney residents and treated them with contempt,” says Mr Warren.
“Now, they have insulted our intelligence.
“No amount of tokenistic competitions will distract the region’s residents from the failings of this government – particularly when it comes to the issues with the Western Sydney Airport.
“Vital motorways like the M12 are two years behind schedule despite Infrastructure Australia listing it as one of the nation’s top priority projects,’’ Mr Warren said.
“There has been a half baked approach regarding public transport links while crucial pieces of infrastructure like a fuel pipeline remain nothing but a pipedream at this stage.
“While this competition may yield one winner, it will be the entire region of Western Sydney that loses out in the end.’’
