A “bitterly disappointed’’ Campbelltown MP Greg Warren says it looks like long suffering Campbelltown commuters won’t be getting a new 450 space carpark after all.
He says he recently obtained a letter that confirmed NSW transport minister Andrew Constance had officially scrapped the project on August 31 following failed negotiations with Campbelltown Council.
The state government wanted council to sacrifice prime real estate on Farrow Road for the carpark.
Mr Warren says council insisted the carpark be built on state government owned land on Langdon Avenue.
The council offered to create a temporary car park on the Farrow Road site while the Langdon Avenue complex was built, however the state government was unwilling to negotiate.
Mr Warren said the state government had abandoned the project and broken a promise to not only the people of Campbelltown, but the entire Macarthur region including Camden and Wollondilly.
The promise to build a commuter carpark was made by Premier Gladys Berejikilian while transport minister during the campaign for the 2015 election.
“This was never about providing overdue relief for Campbelltown commuters – it was simply a desperate attempt to win votes,’’ Mr Warren said this week.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The council’s option was sensible and practical – the state government’s was not.[/social_quote]
“The premier – in her capacity as transport minister – effectively made a promise to build parking on land owned by Campbelltown ratepayers without consulting the council first.
“When the government didn’t get its way, it packed up its bat and ball and went home sulking,’’ he said.
Mr Warren also said it added insult to injury that the government refused to commit to building a multi-storey commuter car park given its Glenfield to Macarthur Urban Renewal Strategy would turn Campbelltown into a haven for high-rise development.
More than 4,000 people have a signed a petition instigated by Mr Warren calling for a multi-storey commuter car park in Campbelltown.
So is NSW Labor