PANSW WELCOMES PAUSE ON CLOVER MOORE’S TOWN HALL SQUARE DEVELOPMENT
The Police Association of NSW has welcomed a decision to pause the mooted Town Hall Square development while an independent review is conducted.
PANSW has voiced significant concerns about the proposal in the media and its impact on the city our members protect. These concerns have been echoed by the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Union, Business Sydney, The Australian Retail Council, residents’ groups and office workers in the city.
The development would see several key buildings demolished, including one of the nation’s busiest Woolworths supermarkets. Hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs would be lost from retailers currently operating there. The resultant open space would replicate existing nearby spaces like Hyde Park, Tumbalong Park, The Domain, Belmore Park and Martin Place.
PANSW members are also concerned the proposed square would become an opportunistic haven for petty crime and an even greater focus for larger demonstrations than we already see in the precinct. Police have regularly facilitated huge demonstrations in areas such as Belmore Park and The Domain where safety can be assured and voices heard without grinding the city to a complete stop.
“We appreciate that the NSW Government has heard our voices and decided an independent review of this significant development is required." PANSW President Kevin Morton said.
“Minister Scully and the Premier are trying to manage an economy and community facing huge challenges like secure jobs, homes, international economic forces and constant attacks on social cohesion. This development does nothing but exacerbate all those challenges.”
At a time when crisis and temporary accommodation in the City of Sydney is operating at above 97% of capacity, it is absurd to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Lord Mayor Moore’s latest proposal.
Every time there is a significant demonstration in the existing Town Hall Square the light rail is closed for safety, bringing the Sydney CBD to a halt. Expanding the Square would make this a more frequent occurrence and inconvenience millions of people a year. There were over 47 million trips on the light rail last year alone.
“Lord Mayor Moore campaigned long and hard for the light rail down George Street and is now willing to abandon it to build a legacy project in her name that so many people are opposed to.” The PANSW President said.
The PANSW is keenly watching the independent review and will take any opportunity to have our members' concerns considered by decision makers.