MEDIA RELEASE
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29 June 2017
Blacktown City Council Mayor has slammed the Riverstone Chamber of Commerce’s attack on Council over the proposed Garfield Road overpass.
“The Chamber has come out stating Council’s Riverstone Master Plan proposal ignores Garfield Road and the Main Street which has established businesses,” Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali said.
“What they fail to say is Council supported the community and opposed the State Government’s proposed Garfield Road overpass.
“Council wants a vibrant town centre, not one that has the great wall of Riverstone running through it.
“Council takes planning for our community very seriously and we strongly refute comments by the Chamber that Council made an ‘assumption’ about the rail crossing on Garfield Road will be an overpass.
“Council does not work on assumptions. The Garfield Road overpass is part of the Roads and Maritime Services long-term plan for the area.”
‘All you’ve got to do is check the RMS website,” he said.
Riverstone railway level crossing removal http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/
“We cannot ignore RMS plans when designing the Riverstone Master Plan,” Mayor Bali said.
“We would prefer the Chamber worked with Council to continue opposing the RMS proposal, rather than seeking to blame us for a NSW Government decision,” Mayor Bali said.
“The Chamber needs to lobby local Liberal MP Kevin Conolly to have the Garfield Road overpass scrapped.”
“We understand local residents and business owners are concerned about the impact the overpass will have on their daily lives and livelihoods.
“Council stood by the community by opposing the controversial Garfield Road overpass, but once the RMS decided on the overpass option we had to act quickly to plan for the Riverstone town centre,” Mayor Bali said.
The Riverstone Master Plan was on exhibition in 2016 to give residents a chance to share their concerns and ideas with Council.
“This Master Plan will revitalise the town centre, bring new community facilities and boost the business precinct of the Riverstone area.
“Pedestrian safety and economic growth in the Riverstone area are priorities for Blacktown City Council’s Riverstone Master Plan.
“A town centre should have good pedestrian access. It should not be impacted by a proposed 4-lane traffic overpass,” Mayor Bali said.
“We regret that some business owners along Garfield Road area will be impacted by the RMS decision, but there is simply no practical option to have businesses on the southern side of Garfield Road.
“Council staff and Councillors responded to residents’ and business owners’ concerns and worked with the community during the exhibition period.
“Sadly the Chamber has ignored Council’s efforts to represent the community, take their ideas on board and respond to their concerns,” Mayor Bali said.
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