Contracts make Victoria Road consultation a ‘farce’

By Lauren Farrow
Community activists have attacked
the State Government’s lack of
public consultation on the Victoria
Road plans, following revelations
that three contracts estimated at
$136 million dollars have already
been signed for the proposed Iron
Cove Bridge duplication.
According to RTA records, the
contracts between the authority
and three companies – Baulderstone
Hornibrook, Hyder Consulting and
Manidis Roberts – allow for the de-
velopment, design, consultation and
construction of the Victoria Road
and new Iron Cove Bridge project.
These 140-week contracts were
signed on October 5 last year, two
months before community consul-
tation began on the project.
The move has angered resident
group Victoria Road Community Alex Elliott, spokesman for the Victoria Road Community Committee, has VRCC spokesman Alex Elliot
Committee (VRCC), which opposes attacked the RTA after news that contracts have already been signed for the has criticised Drummoyne MP
the RTA proposal. construction of the Iron Cove Bridge project. Angela D’Amore for declining an
“If a contract has been signed it invitation to attend the group’s
makes the community consultation Victoria Road project,” he said. reward. So, they all want to meet the Great Transport Debate on May
process entered into by the RTA a “The RTA told everyone that you deadline in terms of time and budg- 25.
farce,” Alex Elliot, spokesman for are having a bridge, either you have et,” Mr Mignot said. Ms D’Amore said she had suggested
VRCC said. it on the east or the west side. Where He said if the involved parties ex- alternative dates she could attend,
The contracts signed by the RTA is the community input?” ceeded expectations and managed as she had a prior commitment on
and the three companies, which spe- Mr Elliot said an alliance con- the project below budget then they May 25.
cialise in communications, develop- tract could also result in a budget would receive monetary rewards. The debate will focus on the pros
ment and construction, make up an blow out, as the agreements have no A spokeswoman for the RTA said and cons of the Victoria Road and
alliance agreement, as they all work fixed price. the Village Voice could not see cop- Iron Cove Bridge proposal. Balmain
together in partnership. But Alain Mignot, executive di- ies of the alliance contracts, as they MP Verity Firth, Stewart Prins from
Mr Elliot said the public consul- rector of the Alliancing Association were commercial in confidence. the Tourism & Transport Forum,
tation process had gone against the of Australia, a professional organisa- Although the contracts had been Professor Garry Glazebrook from
principles of an alliance agreement. tion that promotes partnerships or signed, she said it did not commit UTS and Mr Elliott will be speaking
“An alliance contract should be alliance contracts, said if costs did the RTA to constructing the bridge. at the event. The forum will start
one in which all stakeholders [in- balloon, all parties would be held “The contractors will get paid at 1pm at Leichhardt Town Hall,
cluding the public] are consulted responsible. for any costs incurred, but there is Cr Norton and Marion Streets
and the best solution is arrived “Under an alliance contract all no compensation for work not going Leichhardt.
at. This did not happened in the parties share the risk and share the ahead,” she said.

Caring Lady Dentists

Concord Dental Specialists in
Gentle Dentistry
Family Care
Smile Makeovers 1165235
Orthodontics for
Adults and Children 9743 2262
417 Concord Road, Concord West
www.concorddental.com.au
VILLAGE VOICE DRUMMOYNE May 5