[Greens-Media] Media release: Greens welcome Thompson Square Greens Ban

[David Shoebridge MLC]

Media Release
23 May 2014

*Greens welcome Thompson Square Greens Ban  *

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge has welcomed today’s announcement by the
CFMEU to place a ‘Green Ban’ on Thompson Square, Windsor in response to the
Government’s approved controversial Windsor Bridge Replacement Project.

Last year the NSW Government made a last-minute Christmas Eve announcement
that it would approve the project despite assessments made by the
Department of Planning’s independent experts indicating the damage it will
cause to local heritage, and that there is very little economic
justification for the project to go ahead.

The local community has been strongly opposed to the project since it was
proposed by the government, in particular due to its impact on Thompson
Square, Australia’s oldest town square and a precious part of Australia’s
history.

Greens NSW MP and Planning and Heritage spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“Green Bans have a proud history of protecting this State’s precious
heritage from Kelly’s Bush to the Botanical Gardens and we hope they can
also serve Windsor.

“The Greens warmly welcome the CFMEU’s Green Ban on Thompson Square. It
sends yet another message to this Government that the Windsor Bridge
project is one without merit.

“By approving this project the Government has ignored the local community
and its own independent advice, and will now be going against the
industry’s union.

“This project will destroy Australia’s oldest public square, and
irremediably damage existing Aboriginal heritage without any economic
justification.

“The Government needs to now wake up to itself and seriously reconsider
this deeply damaging project.” Mr Shoebridge said.

*Media contact: David Shoebridge 9230 3030 or 0408 113 952*

-- 

* David ShoebridgeGreens MP in the NSW Legislative Council P: (02) 9230
3030 |Media: 0408 113 952|T: @ShoebridgeMLC
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