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- 28 February 2001
Woronora Bridge Opening; Bankstown Regional Airlines Proposal
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Page: 12089
Ms MEGARRITY (Menai) [6.02 p.m.]: I reflect on a very important day in the life of my electorate: Sunday 11 February 2001. On that day there were two significant events which could be subtitled the good news and the bad news. First, the good news is that shortly after 9.00 a.m. the Premier, the Minister for Transport, my colleagues the honourable member for Heathcote and the honourable member for Miranda and I jointly opened the new Woronora Bridge, which is worth almost $50 million. It is true to say that the real value to my community cannot be measured in dollars. The opening was an extraordinary day of community celebration. Honourable members may have seen news reports of thousands of people walking across the bridge, accompanied by pipe bands with waving banners. It was an extraordinary day with people expressing their feelings about how good it was to have the bridge, and what it would mean to the everyday lives of people who will use it.
As we were walking across the bridge I thought about its construction process. I was able to experience the sensation of what is called "incremental launching", a term which I was not aware of until I stood on the bridge while it was being built on my side of the river in the electorate of Menai, and incrementally launched to the other side of the river, which is in the electorate of Heathcote. One of the benefits of that incremental launching, which was noted by many people on the day, was that it saved environmental damage to the river. It was not necessary to put heavy machinery in the river. Other environmental benefits of the bridge were the anti-pollution devices and the wetland that was constructed in the Jannali reserve, that will intercept and biologically contain contaminants before the water enters the river.
Run-off from roads can contain pollutants such as litter, tyre and brake particles, oil and spilled fuel. On that day many residents commented on that, because environmental protection is important to shire residents. Some of the first vehicles across the new bridge were the emergency services vehicles, including the very important bushfire protection and rescue vehicles. One of the main reasons for building the bridge was to allow better access for vehicles following the terrible bushfires of the past. At two local ovals, one on either side of the river, community activities continued well into the afternoon. I take this opportunity, as I did on the day, to pay tribute to the Government for delivering on its commitment to provide this vital link to the shire. I acknowledge the efforts of the Minister for Transport, who saw this project through to fruition. He signed the contract for the bridge so that my community would have it regardless of the outcome of the 1999 election. He made a commitment to people and he delivered on it.
The engineering feat at the hands of Barclay Mowlem Construction was a great job. Engineers came from all around world to check out this bridge, which, I am informed, had a vertical curve and a horizontal curve. On the day I did not have the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Roads and Traffic Authority and the local community for organising and conducting all the activities. The local Lions and Rotary groups headed up the community effort and many people volunteered many hours towards setting up and conducting the activities on the day. They really showed their community spirit. The money raised from the gold coin donation to cross the bridge, and other activities, has gone to four local charities. I have heard that the proceeds may be as high as $50,000, which is another good outcome.
I turn to the bad news. Immediately after the bridge opening celebration I went to another community gathering, one which was held in a state of anger. I attended a rally at Bankstown that was protesting against the Federal Government's announcement of the expansion of Bankstown Airport to take regional and jet aircraft. When I arrived at that rally I was greeted with a very different feeling from that at Woronora. Last night in this House we debated the impact of the proposed expansion on communities in south-western Sydney, particularly those in my electorate who live close to the runway, as I do. There has been no consultation between the Federal Government and local communities. People have vowed to fight this lose-lose proposal. It is bad news; there is no bright side for us at all. In a letter to me, one of my constituents wrote:
Any expansion would seriously affect the health, well-being and lifestyle of my family. The need to curtail healthy outdoors activities because of noise and frequency of aircraft, sleep deprivation and increased stress levels would be certain outcomes. There could be implications from an educational point of view for my child who attends a nearby public school and studies at home.
There will be pollution and noise emissions. As I said last night, our community will not stand for it and we certainly will not compromise.
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