THE State Government has confirmed it won’t intervene in the construction of the Shellharbour City Hub and handed the matter back to local council for debate.
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Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the NSW government had “washed its hands” of the matter, in response to the Stop the Hub petition signed by 10,000 people and tabled in parliament last month.
“I always said the Stop the Hub Group leaders’ efforts should have been directed at trying to influence the council not the State Parliament because they would ultimately be very disappointed by the result.
“The Minister’s views are entirely consistent with the views that I have expressed to the Stop the Hub Community Group and in the media.
Ms Watson said she held Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and Shellharbour councillor Kellie Marsh responsible of leading the Stop the Hub group “up the garden path”.
“In the end, as the minister has confirmed, neither he, Mr Ward, nor I, can stop this project and Mr Ward should have been honest with the community about that from the beginning”, she said.
Last month, the Stop the hub group declined an offer by Shellharbour City Council to meet face-to-face and address issues about the hub
Ms Watson publicly called for the meeting and said she was disappointed the group’s leadership had dismissed a proposal.
“I would ask the Stop the Hub Group leaders to revisit that decision…there is never any harm in people of good-faith coming together to discuss concerns and resolve problems”, she said.
Mr Ward dismissed Ms Watson’s comments as a "predictable attack" on the City Hub.
“If Ms Watson genuinely holds the view that the City Hub isn’t a State issue – why did she table the Stop the Hub Petition in State Parliament?"
"Why did she use her power as a Member of Parliament to ask the Minister for Local Government a Question in the Legislative Assembly seeking names and addresses of objectors to the hub project earlier in the year?" Mr Ward said.
“I made it very clear to the Stop the Hub Group that I wanted to support their campaign, but the final decision on this matter rests with the seven elected Shellharbour City Councillors."
Mr Ward said Ms Watson was "as consistent as a weathervane" on the hub project and called on her to confirm her position.
"For the last few months, Ms Watson has managed to wriggle out of stating her position on this project. What is Ms Watson’s position?" Mr Ward said.
“My position is clear, I oppose a project that will sap up valuable ratepayer funds that should be used on our footpaths, roads, parks and amenities.
“Don’t wait for the petition debate in Parliament Anna – tell your community who you really support."
Shellharbour councillor Kellie Marsh slammed Ms Watson's comments as a "disgrace".
"I like many other genuine people in the community have worked tirelessly to stop the hub," she said.
"What will stop the hub is The Labor party putting community needs and interests first before their own personal wants.
"I have organized three community meetings about the hub. Anna Watson didn't attend any. I have been nothing but honest with the City Hub group and I call on Anna Watson to grow up and do the job she has been elected to do."
The petition is scheduled for debate in the State Parliament on November 13.
