The NSW Coalition government is under fire again after property owners in Sydney's south-west were hit by a "monumental stuff-up" in which at least 140 new buyers were not told they would be in the path of a future motorway before they bought their properties.
The blunder affects properties purchased between June 27 and October 24 this year that are in or near the planned F6 extension corridor in Sydney's south and the Werrington Arterial project. The Labor opposition has linked the error with the privatisation of the agency responsible, Land and Property Information.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet admitted that buyers were given incorrect information by the agency, potentially exposing the government to millions in compensation claims.
Labor Roads spokesperson Jodi McKay said: "The minister can say this has nothing to do with the fact that this function was privatised from July 1 and that virtually all the cases happened after that date, but given this hasn't happened in 150 years of land titling [under the state Land Titles Office], his claim is frankly incredible. Until he launches a full and transparent inquiry into what happened, the community has every right to be sceptical of his claims.
"This is a stuff-up of monumental proportions where people's lives are going to be turned upside down and the minister needs to get to the bottom of what was behind this 'administrative error' and reassure people that they can rely on the system."
This is just the latest in a series of disasters afflicting the people of Sydney and NSW by the state government. The most serious is the controversial $17 billion WestConnex tollway, which is sending a wrecking ball through Sydney’s Inner West, threatening the environment and economy of the area.
Owners of heritage-listed houses have been forced from their homes, and offered prices by WestConnex well below their market value. These houses are being demolished, with residents forced to move to other areas because they cannot afford to buy homes in the area due to the insanely inflated Sydney property market.
Residents and supporters have established a Save Sydney Park camp in St Peters, which is being maintained around the clock, with the involvement of hundreds of volunteers. The camp acts as an organising centre for the campaign against WestConnex in the area, with regular community meetings to plan future actions.
Further protests are planned at eviction sites, and also against test drilling areas, in coming weeks. For more information, visit WestCONnex Action Group on Facebook.
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