Councillor Chris Harris

While the Greens welcome the expenditure of over $5B in rail infrastructure for Sydney, they have serious concerns about the CBD Metro proposal and its priorities and are supporting Pyrmont residents in their efforts to save Union Square.

Proposed sites for access to stations and installation of security vents at Union Square, Pyrmont, have prompted community outrage over destruction of heritage buildings, trashing of the village square and disruption to local businesses.

The Greens have thrown their support behind the community’s campaign and are confident that alternative solutions for station access and security vents are viable. The alternative solutions have been carefully thought through and the community should be shown the respect of having these considered through further investigation.

The proposed Pyrmont railway station would require five heritage buildings to be resumed for station access and 72 sq metre security vents. This is totally unsatisfactory when there are alternative solutions which could be considered.

We want a more acceptable solution through further investigation into the use of either the Casino site fronting Union Street or via compulsory acquisition of privately-owned vacant land fronting Harris Street and just north of the intersection of Harris and Union streets. There is no reason why the Metro Authority could not negotiate the location of the station entrance underneath the new Casino building or indeed, as a low-impact and transparent structure in Union Square itself.

In addition, a suitable section of Union Street between Paternoster Row and Pyrmont Bridge Road could be closed temporarily as a storage site for equipment, excavation material and new building materials.  This arrangement will accommodate cycle and pedestrian traffic through the Square and minimise disruption to local business.

The Greens will be attending the community rally on 4th July and will stand with the community to oppose these destructive, expedient and short sighted proposals put forward by the Metro Authority.