The North Parramatta Residents Action Group (NPRAG) lost their appeal in the NSW Supreme Court this morning, devastating the dedicated community members who are fighting hard to preserve historic home Willow Grove.
Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, Justice John Basten and Justice Mark Leeming spent two weeks reviewing the judgment, previously made by Justice Moore in the Land and Environment, who ruled in his judgment that the Environmental impact statement (EIS) for the controversial Powerhouse Parramatta was sufficient.
NPRAG was represented by Senior Counsel Tim Hale who prosecuted the case that Infrastructure NSW had failed to adhere to the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) and consider any alternative sites or designs that would incorporate heritage for the Powerhouse Parramatta.
Prior to the final ruling, NPRAG sought an injunction to halt any demolition works on Willow Grove, which is set to be relocated to make way for the Powerhouse Parramatta development.
Community members picketed the property in a bid to protect it from destruction before the injunction was successfully granted.
Such tactics would now be out of the question, due to the current COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
NPRAG are now demanding a moratorium on any works being carried out at Willow Grove until lockdown restrictions are lifted.
NPRAG spokesperson, Suzette Meade said the legal proceedings were always ‘Plan B’.
“Plan A has always been the passion and the power of the community and unions working together,” she said.
“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.”
A spokesperson for Infrastructure NSW recently told Parra News they remain committed to the relocation of Willow Grove.
“The CFMEU’s green ban is an action that has no legal standing,” the spokesperson said.
“In accordance with the State Significant Development Approval Willow Grove will not be retained on site.”
A consultant’s report for Infrastructure NSW has indicated the dismantled Willow Grove could remain in storage for years.
The Western Sydney Powerhouse Community Alliance applauded the court decision.
“This is now strike three for the opponents of the Powerhouse Parramatta and it’s time for them to get out of the way,” Chair of the Western Sydney Powerhouse Community Alliance Christopher Brown said.
“I call on the opponents of the Powerhouse Parramatta to respect this decision.”
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.