They have been written off by many people across the south west region who take for granted that a giant intermodal terminal will be built alongside the Georges River between Moorebank Avenue and Cambridge Avenue at Glenfield.
But residents bitterly opposed to what they call a white elephant are celebrating a remarkable effort last week.
Responding to the latest changes to the proposal, no fewer than 460 objections were emailed through by 180 residents, a huge effort by any measure.
“We just bit off another chunk of the white elephant,’’ said the group known as RAID (Residents Against Intermodal Development) in an email sent to supporters this week.
“A huge thank you to those who have consistently objected to every stage and every modification that has been thrown at our community,’’ it said.
“A heart felt thank you and welcome, to local or regional residents, who have objected for the first time or just come across this issue, of Australia’s largest inland port and container terminal.
“Congratulations to the 180 residents that sent off 460 email objections via our online portal. You can be proud of yourselves and your community.
“Each of the email objections were copied to every State and Federal MP affected by the proposed container terminals.
“No one has an excuse not to act.’’
Not that RAID and the wider community are resting on their laurels.
This week they are back to work and focusing on a meeting with the Department of Planning as well as more fundraising for proposed legal action against the proposal.
♦ A very proud mayor of Campbelltown, George Brticevic, told the last council meeting that 20,000 people had been through Campbelltown Arts Centre to see the exhibition Another Day in Paradise – paintings by Bali Nine ringleader Myuran Sukumaran – since its opening on January 13.
The free exhibition will be open to the public until March 26.
♦ South west region legend June Young has alerted anyone interested in attending a Quota club high tea and musical fundraiser on April 29 that the RSVPs have to be in by April 21, “not April 1’’ as shown on the poster.
Maybe it was an early April Fool’s joke but June says they will be raising funds to purchase equipment for the Liverpool Hospital High Risk Foot Service for diabetic patients.
♦ Former Campbelltown Council planning director and local resident Gail Connolly was highly commended when the winners of the tenth annual awards for women in local government were announced at Parliament House yesterday.
Connolly these days works at the Georges River Council.
♦ The chance of rain kept some folk away at last Sunday’s Clean Up Australia Day, but a few hardy souls did the right thing in the south west region.
One such good example was at Chauvel Park car park and along the banks of the Georges River where volunteers from the Liverpool Action Group collected almost 20 bags of recyclables and garbage plus a few large items.
The estimated weight of the rubbish was 100 kilograms – and most of that were bottles and cans.
If any other groups can match that, please let us know – and send in photographic evidence as well.
♦ There are now 621 people registered on a database created by Marsdens Law Group for the proposed Camden High School class action.
The legal eagle orchestrating the case, Marsdens partner Joe Bonura, says it is likely the legal action will be launched some time this year, but he would still like to hear from as many more people who attended Camden High as possible.
To register visit the Marsdens’ website here and follow the links to Camden High School class action.
