Councillor Chris Harris

Politicians of all shades these days pay at least lip-service to climate change. But which ones are serious when it comes to real action?

Chris Harris at Monday night’s Council meeting will present Councillors with an opportunity to get behind the community legal action challenging the concept plan for the CUB site in Chippendale.

He is asking Council to contribute $20,000 towards the estimated legal costs, backing up community members who have already donated $3,000 to the cause.

‘I imagine the Labor councillors will have to think hard about supporting action against Planning Minister Frank Sartor, but I can see no good reason why the remaining councillors should not get behind this last-ditch attempt to save the future of Sydney,’ said Cr Harris.

‘The CUB site is the largest remaining old industrial site to be developed in the CBD and given that we will have to live with its environmental consequences for decades, we have to act now or never.’

‘I support Clover Moore’s vision for Sydney. I agree with her that Sydney should be liveable, equitable and environmentally sustainable and that this depends on what we do now.’ (SMH 6/6/07)

‘If we believe this then we need to change the nature of this disastrous project which will snarl traffic and impact heavily on the environment for decades to come. The other environmental measures council is planning will be cancelled out unless we act now.

Cr Harris has fully backed the community action by letterboxing Chippendale with an appeal for loan/donations. The litigation is also being supported by Legal Aid which has indemnified the litigants against costs should they lose the case.

‘This means there is no risk to Council or anyone else who backs the action,’ says Cr Harris. ‘The choice is simple: get behind this action or face a long future of pollution and traffic chaos in Sydney.’

‘I invite residents to come to Town Hall on Monday evening to watch the debate.’

Attachments: Media Release; Flyer Page 1; Flyer Page 2.