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http://www.smh.com.au/national/pressure-on-keneally-for-a-decision-on-metro-20100205-niqn.html
THE Keneally government is in a stand-off with the Balmain Tigers Leagues Club over the fate of the controversial proposed metro line to Rozelle.
The club's chairman, David Trodden, yesterday tried to force the government to commit to the $5.3 billion project by issuing a statement claiming to have received assurances from the office of the Premier, Kristina Keneally, that the Rozelle extension would proceed.
Two weeks ago, Ms Keneally said the government had ordered the Sydney Metro Authority to stop buying properties around the junction of Victoria Road and Darling Street, Rozelle - the site of the proposed Rozelle metro terminus - ''until the NSW Government makes a final decision shortly on the project''. Her comment provoked speculation that the Rozelle extension would be scrapped.
But Mr Trodden's statement read: ''We are comforted by meetings attended by Tigers representatives with senior officials from the Premier's office and local MP Verity Firth, where it was confirmed that no decisions had been made to abandon plans for the Sydney metro extending to Rozelle.''
Last night Mr Trodden, a Balmain lawyer, confirmed that he had met the Premier's chief of staff, Walt Secord, and her director of policy, Pat Garcia, on January 21 and 22, two days after the Premier's comment. The club's chief executive, Tim Camiller, also met Ms Firth on January 22.
Mr Trodden told the Herald that neither Mr Secord nor Mr Garcia had said - or even hinted - that the government was planning to axe the Rozelle link.
''What they left us with was the distinct impression that no decision had been made to cancel the project, specifically the Rozelle leg of the project,'' he said.
A spokesman for Ms Keneally insisted that ''no decision has been made'' on the future of the Rozelle extension.
Mr Trodden said the club - which was in deep financial trouble until it received a $200 million bailout from a development company run by former footballer Benny Elias - had been given until April 1 to vacate the site so the Metro Authority could use it as a construction site. The club plans to move for up to five years and Mr Elias's company, Rozelle Village, plans to spend $98 million redeveloping the site with two office towers.
But Mr Trodden would not say if the club or Rozelle Village had signed an agreement with the metro authority for compensation if the project is cancelled.
Even if it is, Rozelle locals may only win a temporary reprieve. Kilner Mason, a spokesman for the Pyrmont community opposed to the metro, said local businesses had received letters last week saying the authority was still negotiating to compulsorily acquire their properties.
Tino and Maria Vieira had been told the ''pause [in the acquisition of Rozelle properties] does not in any way affect negotiations on your property''.
THE Keneally government is in a stand-off with the Balmain Tigers Leagues Club over the fate of the controversial proposed metro line to Rozelle.
The club's chairman, David Trodden, yesterday tried to force the government to commit to the $5.3 billion project by issuing a statement claiming to have received assurances from the office of the Premier, Kristina Keneally, that the Rozelle extension would proceed.
Two weeks ago, Ms Keneally said the government had ordered the Sydney Metro Authority to stop buying properties around the junction of Victoria Road and Darling Street, Rozelle - the site of the proposed Rozelle metro terminus - ''until the NSW Government makes a final decision shortly on the project''. Her comment provoked speculation that the Rozelle extension would be scrapped.
But Mr Trodden's statement read: ''We are comforted by meetings attended by Tigers representatives with senior officials from the Premier's office and local MP Verity Firth, where it was confirmed that no decisions had been made to abandon plans for the Sydney metro extending to Rozelle.''
Last night Mr Trodden, a Balmain lawyer, confirmed that he had met the Premier's chief of staff, Walt Secord, and her director of policy, Pat Garcia, on January 21 and 22, two days after the Premier's comment. The club's chief executive, Tim Camiller, also met Ms Firth on January 22.
Mr Trodden told the Herald that neither Mr Secord nor Mr Garcia had said - or even hinted - that the government was planning to axe the Rozelle link.
''What they left us with was the distinct impression that no decision had been made to cancel the project, specifically the Rozelle leg of the project,'' he said.
A spokesman for Ms Keneally insisted that ''no decision has been made'' on the future of the Rozelle extension.
Mr Trodden said the club - which was in deep financial trouble until it received a $200 million bailout from a development company run by former footballer Benny Elias - had been given until April 1 to vacate the site so the Metro Authority could use it as a construction site. The club plans to move for up to five years and Mr Elias's company, Rozelle Village, plans to spend $98 million redeveloping the site with two office towers.
But Mr Trodden would not say if the club or Rozelle Village had signed an agreement with the metro authority for compensation if the project is cancelled.
Even if it is, Rozelle locals may only win a temporary reprieve. Kilner Mason, a spokesman for the Pyrmont community opposed to the metro, said local businesses had received letters last week saying the authority was still negotiating to compulsorily acquire their properties.
Tino and Maria Vieira had been told the ''pause [in the acquisition of Rozelle properties] does not in any way affect negotiations on your property''.
