The Inner West community has today secured a significant win with Rob Stokes, the Minister for Planning agreeing to extend the exhibition period for the Westconnex M4 East Environmental Impact Statement to 45 days.

When asked in Question Time today by Jo Haylen, the Member for Summer Hill, about the length of the exhibition period, the Minister said “I think there is a strong argument for some addition consultation to be provided…. I’m not going to commit to the number of days today.”

Minister Stokes then confirmed after Question Time by a supplementary answer that the EIS exhibition period would be extended to 45 days. The EIS will be released in full tomorrow with submissions open until Friday 23 October.

“This is a victory for the people of the Inner West” said Ms Haylen.

“While a consultation period of at least 60 days would have been more appropriate, this goes some way to allow our community more of a chance to have their voices heard.”

“The communities of Haberfield and Ashfield have campaigned hard on this and should be proud they’ve pushed the Government to allow more community consultation” said Ms Haylen.

 “The Government has moved ahead without consulting the people who will be affected most. Now they’ve recognised that a project of this complexity demands proper consultation and that residents need time to get across all the detail.”

“After months and months of saying all of our questions will be answered in the EIS, I look forward to seeing what the impact on our local community, schools, nursing homes and open spaces will be.”

“Westconnex will take a wrecking ball to the Inner West and the community deserves the chance to have input into the planning process.”

See the EIS at: http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6307