Residents opposed to the intermodal terminal in Moorebank are seriously considering legal action to stop it from going ahead.
John Anderson, the chairman of Residents Against Intermodal Development (RAID) told the South West Voice today that a final decision will be made soon.
Any appeal against the approvals would be heard in the Land and Environment Court, Mr Anderson said.
He said there were a number of grounds for a legal battle and RAID would also seek to have other local groups join in any action.
Mr Anderson said residents had just four weeks in which to launch legal action.
Plans for a legal battle have emerged since a RAID community meeting last week drew more than 100 local residents.
“First a huge thank you to those who came along,’’ said RAID in an email afterwards.
“It was a great night – very inspiring to see so many passionate residents ready to tackle whatever is necessary to stop and move this travesty.”
Presentations from guest speakers focused on the project’s political background and the investigation and pursuit of legal action.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It is abundantly clear that what would be Australia’s largest inland port and container terminal is doomed to fail,’’ the meeting was told.[/social_quote]
“It cannot deliver on the promises made selling it to the Federal Government, the Australian Stock Exchange or the freight industry.’’
RAID says the waste of almost 300 hectares of prime riverfront is also cause for anger among local residents.
“If the land were appropriately master planned, it could be the cornerstone of a mini Melbourne style gateway city on the Georges River, the meeting heard.
“Such a plan would place thousands of homes, jobs, educational opportunities and public transport in a region that is in desperate need of all four.
“The South West region has nearly 20,000 unemployed, so a plan that is projected to generate over 36,000 jobs is well overdue.
“Moorebank Container Terminal will generate 2,400 jobs, which is actually a net loss of more than 4,500 jobs.’’
