WestConnex: Business battling for proper compensation
The $18.6-billion WestConnex project has resulted in a tense battle between local businesses and the New South Wales Government.
The tunnel that will link the Anzac Bridge and the M4 Motorway runs straight past three businesses in Rozelle.
The three businesses had applied for their industrial land to be re-zoned as residential before the project was announced.
One of the businesses is family-owned Swadlings, a timber business in the game for over a century with 65 jobs on the line.
Danny Gattone from Swadlings tells Ross Greenwood he’s had a developer interested in land, quoting a $24-million development if the land where to be re-zoned as residential.
All the government is offering is $2.94 million, with $935,00 for relocation costs.
“We want to keep the business going,” he says.
“It’s a long-standing, successful family business. We want to keep our staff.
“But we do need a fair and reasonable compensation package in order for us to successfully relocate.”
Listen to the full interview below