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- 10 April 2002
North-West Rail Link Public Consultation
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Speakers - Tink Mr Andrew
Business - Private Members Statements
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Page: 1331
Mr TINK (Epping) [6.00 p.m.]: I raise matters concerning public consultation regarding the north-west rail link. In general terms I strongly support the concept of the project, not least because it will draw many people who would otherwise use cars on major roads throughout my electorate onto public transport, where many of them should be. There is also strong support for the project in the electorate. Nevertheless, there is an understandably real concern about the fine detail, especially exactly how, when and where the link will be built, properties that will be affected, design concepts and so forth. For that reason I was disturbed to receive on 4 April from Quay Connection, consultants for the north-west rail link, a fax indicating that there was a meeting that same night. The workshop was to be held at the Asquith Leagues Club.
After speaking to my staff and drawing on my recollection I can confirm that at no time prior to 4 April did I receive any communication from Quay Connection. In the material that was sent by fax on 4 April there was reference to a copy of the overview report in relation to the proposal being enclosed. No such report was enclosed with the letter that is purportedly dated 19 March 2002 to me but which was received in fax form only on 4 April. I did not receive a copy of the report until going to a Beecroft-Cheltenham Civic Trust meeting, where one was in evidence. I then wrote to the transport Minister's office and obtained a copy. The trust said that it got its letter on 19 March but the trust president, Mr Bob Raymond, said that as the meeting was at Asquith the trust did not feel that it needed to be represented.
I am extremely concerned that any meeting relating to the north-west rail link would be held at Asquith. For one thing, it is on the wrong railway line. The project affects the main north-south railway line coming through Beecroft. The maps provided to me from the Minister's office indicate that the link is immediately south of Beecroft railway station and north of Cheltenham railway station. I would have thought that any workshops that relate to that end of the rail link as distinct from The Hills end—I understand that workshops will be held in the Baulkham Hills area—ought to be held at Beecroft. Strong suspicions are raised when a workshop relating to Beecroft matters is held at Asquith. There is great suspicion generally about public consultation of that type. Nothing would be more likely to raise the suspicions of people affected than the holding of the meeting at Asquith. Whether it was by design or incompetence or for some other reason, I do not know.
My plea to the Government and Quay Connection is to ensure in the future that any stakeholder meetings or workshops that affect the eastern end of the proposal are held in a place that is proximate to the people who are affected. A number of churches at Beecroft have halls that could have been used for the meeting. Cheltenham Recreation Club could have been used at a stretch. The Epping Club or Pennant Hills Bowling Club could also have been used. Holding the meeting at Asquith simply excited suspicions that the meeting was deliberately held a distance away from the people affected precisely so that they would not attend. The Cheltenham- Beecroft Civic Trust did not believe that the meeting related to it and other people were not informed, which was what happened with me. By 4 April when I found out about the meeting I had something else arranged on the night and could not go. The consultation meetings should be held in the immediate area of people affected by the proposal. There is good will and general support for the project. People want to know how it will affect them and they want to have a say in real time and at a place they can reach practically. [Time expired.]
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