“The business community want that project, they know that project is vital for jobs in western Sydney, vital for taking trucks off the road, vital for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. This is a very important project.”
However there is concern about the development from Liverpool Council and some residents who argue it will see increased heavy truck traffic on local roads and more noise and air pollution.
A rally opposing the project was held at the weekend. It was attended by both the Liberal candidate Craig Kelly and Labor’s candidate Brent Thomas.
Mr Thomas has been letterboxing houses in the area to complain about the Moorebank Intermodal. He has also placed automated telephone calls to homes in the electorate about the issue.
“I have taken the strong and difficult decision to stand up against my party and say the project is wrong for our area and I am going to be speaking out publicly and privately against the project at every opportunity,” he said.
“Minister Albanese and I have spoken on a number of occasions,” he said. “He is aware that if I am elected as the member for Hughes on Saturday we do have a big issue ahead of us that we are going to have to resolve.”
The Liberal Party’s candidate Craig Kelly says he has secured a commitment from the Liberal Leader Tony Abbott to put the Moorebank Intermodal on hold.
Mr Albanese’s office has issued a statement saying it will take on board complaints about the project.
“We understand that the local community is concerned, and we have heard the very firm views put to the Government by Labor’s candidate for Hughes, Brent Thomas,” the statement read.
“Over the next two years, the Moorebank Project Office will undertake extensive consultations with the local community, giving them a proper chance to have their say.”
Construction of the terminal is due to begin in 2013 and it is expected to be operational by early 2016.