A parliamentary inquiry into the construction of the maligned Rozelle Interchange has found the decision to build the road was made against the community’s best interests.
The multi-billion-dollar project has been the subject of consistent ire from residents and road-users in the area, and the findings have illustrated the decision to build the interchange was made to boost the sale value of WestConnex, was made with little to no community engagement, and that road congestion in the area is worse since the opening of the road.
The inquiry committee handed down eight findings and 17 recommendations into the build that covered all stages of the project.
Committee chair and Greens MP Cate Faehrmann says the lack of consultation with the community ahead of the build has led to a worse situation than before the interchange was even constructed.
“It’s clear from the overwhelming evidence of inquiry participants that there was a lack of meaningful engagement and consultation with impacted communities during all stages of the Rozelle Interchange,” Faehrmann says.
“It was built to maximise the sale value of WestConnex, which meant decisions were not made in the community’s interest.”
MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty says while the findings are welcome for her constituents, they showcase how the wider community was let down by those in charge.
“The bipartisan privatisation agenda from both Labor and Liberal governments has led to significant profits for multinational toll-road operator Transurban. Meanwhile, our local community has been left with increased traffic congestion and serious safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists,” Shetty says.
“This report provides strong recommendations that could help mitigate the impact of the Rozelle Interchange on local residents. I call on the NSW Labor Government to act quickly to implement all recommendations.”
The 17 recommendations mostly relate to the lack of community consultation, improving existing infrastructure to cover issues caused by the interchange, and a rejection of privatisation.
The interchange was the final stage of WestConnex’s transformative contract with Transurban, which was initially estimated to cost $11 billion. By the time the interchange opened in December 2023 that figure has risen to over $18 billion.
An auditors report found the final cost actually ballooned to over $20 billion.
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