Justice Tim Moore handed down his judgment for the North Parramatta Residents Action Group (NPRAG) versus Infrastructure NSW case today, ruling in favour of the latter.
NPRAG took the fight to Save Willow Grove to the Land and Environment Court last month, to challenge the approval of the controversial Powerhouse Parramatta project, on the basis of an inadequate environmental impact statement (EIS).
NPRAG members have been hosting fundraising events to fund the legal case, with over $22,500 raised on its Mycause site alone.
Despite the outcome, campaigners assure the fight is far from over.
“The legal proceedings were always our Plan B,” NPRAG spokesperson, Suzette Meade said.
“Plan A has always been the passion and the power of the community and unions working together.
“In the spirit of Jack Mundey a CFMEU green ban will save this site and Willow Grove will remain on Phillip Street Parramatta, forever.
“At the hands of the NSW Government the people of Parramatta have already lost our public pools for a stadium, a pub older than Perth for a light rail; we will not lose Willow Grove.
“The community will continue to fight for this.”
NPRAG was represented by Senior Counsel Tim Hale who prosecuted the case that Infrastructure NSW had failed to consider any alternative site in the EIS for the Parramatta Powerhouse.
Representing Infrastructure NSW, Barrister Richard Lancaster argued the riverbank site was the only appropriate location for the museum.
The Western Sydney Powerhouse Community Alliance applauded the decision by the Land and Environment Court.
“The Land and Environment Court has quashed this last-ditch attempt to deprive the families of Western Sydney their first world-class science and technology museum on the banks of the Parramatta River,” Chair of the Western Sydney Powerhouse Community Alliance, Christopher Brown said.
“This is a victory for the next generation of kids in western Sydney that will be able visit an exciting and modern museum in their own backyard rather than the long trek into the Sydney CBD.”
NPRAG will be discussing legal options with Mr Hale.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.