Opposition to ADI development grows
By Rupen Savoulian
SYDNEY — A march and rally was held on July 26 against the proposed development of the former Australian Defence Industries (ADI) site in the western Sydney suburb of St Marys.
The Lend Lease development, supported by successive Liberal and Labor state governments, will put 8000 houses on the 1535-hectare site. The site contains toxic and radioactive waste, and was used as an ammunition dump before ADI was corporatised in the late 1980s. Many former site workers are suffering from cancers. Their claims for compensation have been ignored by government authorities.
The march, led by members of the ADI Residents Action Group (RAG), proceeded to St Marys Band Club for a public meeting. Speakers included the federal Liberal member for Lindsay, Jackie Kelly; ALP candidate Cathy O'Toole; Kay Vella from the anti-Badgerys Creek airport committee; Greens senate candidate John Sutton; Colin Gale from the Dharug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation; and Sarah Harris, Democratic Socialist candidate for Reid.
Kelly received a hostile reception. Having supported the development, she had changed her position the previous week because of the likely loss of votes to minor parties over the issue.
Vella pointed out that Lend Lease's primary aim is to maximise profits on its real estate, often at the expense of residents. Howard claims he needs money to maintain the federation park and wildlife sanctuary proposed by the RAG, she said, but the federal government already controls public lands and former defence sites funded by taxpayers.
Harris commented that Kelly's u-turn was sheer hypocrisy and showed that the major parties can not be trusted. She spoke about the need to keep building community opposition to the development and, to applause, pointed to the successful pickets during the maritime union's dispute.
The meeting demanded that the land be used as a federation park, funded by the federal government.