This issue being debated has been torpedoed at the 11th hour by the NSW State Labor Government after the considerable time, effort and expense by the Sutherland Shire and groups in our local area. As such the planned future Council meetings have been cancelled.
In an obvious gross political move Frank Sartor (with Paul McLeay and Alison Megarrity) have sabotaged this issue that was in progress at the local political level. This late move by the State Government is a desperate measure to try to sure up votes in the Menai electorate for the upcoming State election, at considerable expense for the Heathcote electorate.
Engadine, Woronora Heights and other areas in the State electorate of Heathcote should send a strong message of protest by voting Paul McLeay out of office at the upcoming State election.
Open Reply To Paul McLeay
We thank all of those who supported our cause over the last few years with our local petitioning and campaigning. We also would like to remind you that in petitioning plus the submissions we represented the largest grouping of local affected residents. We did not falsely inflate our numbers by adding massive numbers from other areas of Sydney and intra-state as did the opponents. Let the silent majority be heard at the next opportunity - at the next State election.
Greater Engadine Area Sold Out By Paul McLeay
• Access for Woronora Heights residents to the north in addition to the only (south-bound) access currently available. The 15 minute peak hour direct bus access to Sutherland Station will create major time (up to 40 minutes/day) and environmental advantages.
• Real emergency access or egress 24 hours per day for all emergency services (and not just for bush fires). This benefits both Woronora Heights and Woronora.
• Environmental benefit from savings of vehicle-kilometers travelled and greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for the unnecessary longer drive south through Engadine before turning north towards the city.
• Easing of traffic congestion in North Engadine during peak hours. The Anzac Rd route carries the bulk of north-bound traffic from the two residential spurs to the north of Engadine (from Kingswood Rd and from Cooriengah Heights Rd) including traffic from the whole 800 house suburb of Woronora Heights.
• 100% of Woronora Heights traffic having to travel through Engadine but 0% through Woronora (just 2km to the Woronora high level bridge) is totally inequitable.
• A more viable bus option from Engadine station via - North Engadine – Woronora Heights – Woronora – Sutherland Station and return. This would encourage the use of public transport over cars, particularly due to the excellent excellent rail service from Sutherland Station to the city, Cronulla and Wollongong.
•A sharing of facilities between Woronora Heights and Woronora communities, including schools, shops, clubs, sporting and river facilities.
• Better access for Woronora Heights residents to the park land and river frontage which can be seen from the Heights but not accessed without driving some 15 kilometres all the way round.