[Greens-Media] INNER WEST COUNCIL MEETING ABANDONED AFTER RESIDENT PROTEST

[Jamie Parker]

Media release 24 May 2016

INNER WEST COUNCIL MEETING ABANDONED AFTER RESIDENT PROTEST

The first meeting of the imposed Inner West Council was abandoned tonight, following a protest by residents against the sacking of Marrickville Council and the installation of an unelected Administrator. The rally had been organised by local resident groups and anti-WestConnex campaigners.

The member for Balmain Jamie Parker MP and the member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP, whose electorates include the abolished Council areas and are overlapped by the massive WestConnex project, addressed the residents who had gathered on the steps of the former Marrickville Council chambers.

Greens MP Jamie Parker said, “Tonight hundreds of local residents from Marrickville, Leichhardt and Ashfield packed the Marrickville Council chamber, chanting that they wanted their local Councils back.

"While members of the public and state MPs rallied outside, the 3 former ALP Mayors waited upstairs in the Chamber for the meeting to start.

"Once residents had flooded the chamber, Baird's handpicked Administrator shut down the meeting after 5 minutes leaving residents to occupy the chamber until the Administrator confirmed the meeting would not proceed.

"It's clear that residents of the inner west won't accept the destruction of their democratic rights. Premier Baird must reinstate the Councils to ensure the business of local government can continue," Mr Parker said

Former Marrickville Councillor Ellsmore said, “Tonight I was overwhelmed and humbled by the display by local residents, who value the role of local councillors and our support for the community.

"Residents understand the agenda behind the sacking of the inner west councils is to try and silence opposition to the massive WestConnex project and the proposed urban growth corridors which will cut through the heart of the inner west.

We sent a message to Baird’s hand-picked Administrator that inner west residents value our local democracy, and we stand up and fight for what we believe in,” Ms Ellsmore said.

Media inquiries:    Councillor Sylvie Ellsmore 0403 977 213<tel:0403%20977%20213>, Jamie Parker MP 0418 428 089<tel:0418%20428%20089>
Images and footage available on request