NEED WESTCONNEX TO KNOW ABOUT - DIB CHIDIAC
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VOLUME 1 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WESTCONNEX
In October 2016, I released an e-Book to inform people
who own or rent property in Concord and its neighbouring
suburbs about WestConnex - the largest ever urban
transport project in NSW history. This article provides
an update on the WestConnex project – what’s happened
in the intervening months, and why it continues to be
highly controversial to Sydney-siders, particularly residents
of the Inner-West.
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WestConnex – what is it?
To recap, the $16.8million WestConnex motorway • Homebush: Short Street, Underwood Road,
will have far-reaching consequences for the way Ismay Avenue, Allen Street
residents of Western Sydney - including Concord - • Haberfield: Wolseley Street, Wattle Street,
live and work. The 33km motorway will link the M4 Northcote Street, Parramatta Road,
and M5 to provide better connections for Western Walker Street, Ramsay Street, Martin Street
Sydney to the CBD, airport & Port Botany. It’s due • Ashfield: Parramatta Road, Chandos Street.
for completion in 2023 and will be delivered in
The resumption of homes continues to spark
3 stages: opposition, with many home-owners still locked
Stage 1 - WestConnex in legal battles with the State Government over
compensation. Additionally, some Homebush
M4 – Parramatta to Haberfield residents recently appealed to Strathfield Council,
Widening the M4 motorway from Parramatta saying they are often forced to park far from their
to North Strathfield from 3 lanes to 4 (‘M4 homes as WestConnex employees working on the
Widening’), and extending the M4 from Concord M4 East project inundate their neighbourhood.
Road, North Strathfield to the City West Link at
Haberfield via a 5.5km tunnel (with 3 lanes in each Stage 2 - WestConnex
direction) under Parramatta Road (‘M4 East’). M5 – Beverly Hills to St Peters
Work on the M4 Widening and along Parramatta Widening the M5 between Beverly Hills (King
Road currently takes place 24 hours per day, seven Georges Road) and the M5 tunnel, plus building
days per week, meaning that extra trucks are another tunnel from Beverly Hills to St Peters
on the road to support tunnelling and keep the (‘New M5’).
project moving towards its expected completion Sydney motorists will have to wait longer than the
in 2019. NSW Government planned for the New M5 due
Construction of the M4 East continues to have an to delays in environmental approval, which was
obvious impact on residents of Concord and its received from the Commonwealth Department
surrounding suburbs. Residents will undoubtedly of Environment on 11 July 2016. The scheduled
have noticed major construction areas at points completion date for the 11 kilometre-long New
including the M4 exit at Concord Road and the M5 has been extended
Cintra Park hockey field (between Parramatta one year from 2019 to 2020.
Road and Gipps Street, Concord), which is
the location of the construction compound Stage 3 - WestConnex
for tunnelling work to be carried out towards M4–M5 Link
Homebush and Haberfield.
Linking the M4 and M5 from Haberfield to
The State Government has shelled out almost St Peters ‘M4-M5 Link’.
$700m buying up homes to make way for
The M4-M5 Link is in the very early stages of
WestConnex, including more than 300 properties
planning and design. Recent reports indicate,
(residential, commercial, community and open
however, that more than 100 properties in the
space) in Concord, North Strathfield, Homebush,
path of the M4-M5 Link tunnel between the Iron
Haberfield and Ashfield (some of which are
Cove Bridge and the Rozelle Interchange will likely
heritage listed) at an average cost of $2.18m
need to be acquired by the State Government. A
per home. Streets in which residential homes
proposed design will be released later this year for
have been acquired include:
further community consultation and refinement
• Concord: Concord Road, Sydney Street, ahead of the formal Environmental Impact
Edward Street Statement consultation process next year. The
• North Strathfield: Concord Road, M4-M5 Link is planned to be built by 2023.
Sydney Street, Young Street Published: Oct 2016
What does WestConnex mean
for Concord residents?
WestConnex was a political of Burwood. This means that delays on roads
such as Burwood Road and Broughton Street
battleground in the 2015
will be reduced and bus services will be able
NSW State Election. Opinion to be increased and be more reliable.
is divided as to whether the
• It will provide access from Concord’s
motorway will deliver the residential areas to Parramatta Road on
benefits the current Federal an even basis, eliminating delays at Burwood
and State governments are Road, Burton Street and around Crane Street.
claiming. For residents of • Improving current levels of congestion on
Concord, the touted benefits Parramatta Road between Concord Road and
include the following. the east will allow for a more integrated and
frequent public transport system within
• M
ore than doubling the capacity on the M5 the inner west. Most bus routes currently avoid
corridor east of King Georges Road will help this area due to the difficulty accessing and
bring Concord closer to the CBD, port and crossing Parramatta Road.
airport precincts, making it an even more
• C
onstraints to Canada Bay’s significant
desirable place for CBD-workers to live.
network of on and off-road bicycle paths and
• If carried out in a proper manner, footpaths in some areas as a result of heavy
the construction of the M4 East will provide traffic densities on Parramatta Road, Queens
significant reduction of traffic delays, Road and Lyons Road West will be reduced,
noise & pollution caused by significant enabling greater public access
congestion at the current termination point to amenities.
at Parramatta Road, North Strathfield.
• The M4 East will provide the opportunity More broadly, the government
to reduce the on-surface traffic on Parramatta argues that WestConnex
Road to a more manageable volume, will afford Sydneysiders the
allowing space for public transport and following benefits.
urban design improvement to Parramatta
Road, as well as a significant reduction in • T
he fleets of trucks transporting goods from
traffic in the Queens Road link to improve the Port Botany to the large distribution centres
important east west cycle link from Sydney’s in western Sydney will be able to do so quicker,
CBD to the Mountains. more reliably and at a lower cost.
• Improvement of the current traffic sewer on • It will boost the local economy, create jobs and
the Parramatta Road and (to a lesser extent) help motorists bypass up to 52 sets of traffic
Queens Road links will enable more road- lights by completion in 2023.
facing development in these areas. • It will significantly reduce regional traffic
• The reduction in traffic on Parramatta Road congestion on local roads, effectively
will provide better access from the various containing Regional and State traffic to State
medium to high density Canada Bay peninsula roads and motorways.
developments to the regional centre
Published: Apr 2015TRAVEL TIME BETWEEN
CONCORD ROAD & SYDNEY CBD *
Current travel time Approx. 33 mins
Travel time after completion of WestConnex
Approx. 18 mins
*According to WestConnex Delivery Authority. Travel time savings are based on
average peak hour trips in 2031 taken with and without WestConnex.
which could choke the atmosphere with tunnel
On the other hand, it’s emissions and be particularly damaging to the
argued that WestConnex surrounding environment.
will be detrimental for the • By creating more road space, it will improve
following reasons. travel times. This will in turn, however, attract
more drivers to the road and build
• One of the major goals of the M4 East tunnel congestion levels again over time.
is to direct traffic away from Parramatta Road
• Motorists will engage in ‘rat running’ in our
and improve the urban design and amenity
local streets in order to avoid WestConnex
along that corridor. This redevelopment
tolls and motorway accidents, leading to
and renewal of Parramatta Road will result
more congestion.
in significantly increased demand on
our local open space and recreational • Residents in some pockets of Concord face
facilities. the cumulative issues of the loss of some of
their long term neighbours due to
• Redevelopment of Parramatta Road,
compulsory acquisition of land by the
including development of high-rise,
government to make way for the motorway
high-density apartments, will also increase
corridor, together with the new impacts
supply of property in the local area.
of a motorway in their immediate
Increased supply has the potential to place
neighbourhood.
downward pressure on property prices
in the long term, resulting in lower yields. • The extremely costly project is diverting
government funding from areas which
• If not carried out in the proper manner, it
would better address the State traffic problem,
has great potential to wreak detrimental
environmental effects - including air including public transport.
pollution, noise pollution and vibration - during
both the construction and post-construction
phases. In particular, residents are concerned
about the location of tunnel smoke stacks,
Published: Apr 2015What does WestConnex mean for
Concord property owners?
Major infrastructure initiatives typically have in underground, it will free-up secondary
a considerable impact on real estate values, roads including Queens Road, Lyons Road and
particularly in areas most affected. Parramatta Road, thereby reducing travel times
For WestConnex, this undoubtedly includes to Sydney CBD and Parramatta.
Concord and its neighbouring suburbs. In addition, it will shorten the commute for
Some industry commentators, including me, Concord residents to and from the CBD and
believe WestConnex will drive up local real airport, acting as a powerful drawcard for CBD-
estate values. By reducing traffic congestion in based professionals looking to relocate or invest
and around the entrance to the M4, effectively who may have previously considered Concord
removing much of it from the road and putting to be ‘too far’ from the CBD.
CITY OF CANADA BAY COUNCIL MEDIAN PROPERTY SALE PRICES*
September 2012 - $1,040,000 September 2014 - $1,425,000
The median property sale price in the Canada Bay local government area (including Concord)
increased 37% in the 2 years following September 2012 when WestConnex was first announced.
** Additional factors separate to the WestConnex have also contributed to property prices.
* Data taken from Housing NSW Rent and Sales Report, Issue 110, December 2014. Data relates to non-strata dwellings, which includes
separate houses and any multi-unit dwelling with a Torrens Title.
CITY OF CANADA BAY COUNCIL MEDIAN PROPERTY RENTAL PRICES*
September 2012 - $650pw September 2014 - $700pw
The median property rental price in the Canada Bay local government area (including Concord)
increased 7.7% in the 2 years following September 2012 when WestConnex was first announced.
** Additional factors separate to the WestConnex have also contributed to property prices.
* Data taken from Housing NSW Rent and Sales Report, Issue 110, December 2014. Data is for separate houses (all bedroom numbers).
** Sydney-wide property prices climbed over this period due to additional factors.
On the other hand, some argue WestConnex will engaged by several Concord property owners
lead to uncertainty and a reduction in local real wising to sell their homes in order to move away
estate prices. The basis of this argument is that from uncertainty before construction of the M4
buyers will be wary about purchasing in areas East is underway.
close to the motorway, including parts Another argument supporting a fall in local real
of Concord. The State government is continuing estate prices is that, as mentioned above,
to buy properties to make way for the M4 East the simultaneous redevelopment and renewal of
corridor, including some in Concord, and this Parramatta Road, including the development of
selective purchase of properties creates confusion 100,000 planned apartments, will increase supply
and leads to a depression in property prices in of property in the local area leading to downward
these areas. pressure on property prices in the long term.
Additionally, residents who live in the immediate
areas to the planned WestConnex corridor, Whether you are in favour of or
including some whose properties will not be against WestConnex, both sides
bought by the State government but who may
end up having to live next to a motorway ramp must agree that the $15billion
or exhaust tower, fear a dramatic fall in the value motorway will impact local
of their properties if their homes become islands property prices.
surrounded by motorway. Indeed, I have been Published: Apr 2015WestConnex – fast facts*
• WestConnex is Australia’s biggest ever transport project
• The NSW Government is providing $1.8 billion in funding
for WestConnex and the Federal Government $1.5 billion,
in addition to a concessional loan of up to $2 billion to fast-
track Stage 2 of WestConnex from Beverly Hills to St Peters
(New M5)
• WestConnex is due for completion in 2023
• It will provide more than $20 billion in economic benefits to
NSW, create 10,000 jobs and help motorists bypass up to 52
sets of traffic lights once complete
• Upon completion, an estimated 3,000 trucks per day will be
off Parramatta Road and into the M4 East tunnel
estConnex will provide the catalyst for the urban renewal
• W
of Parramatta Road, including the planned development of
100,000 new apartments, new cycleways and light rail
• More than 100 properties through Sydney’s west and inner-
west will need to be purchased by the government to make
room for the first stages of WestConnex
* According to the State and Federal Governments
Published: Apr 2015Learn more about how WestConnex will impact your property If you wish to find out more about how WestConnex will impact your property, contact Dib Chidiac, your local real estate expert on 0415 657 331. With $1 billion in local sales over 10 years, Dib Chidiac is known within the City of Canada Bay community as a talented market leader with an outstanding history of strong sales and area records. No other agent in the City of Canada Bay can match Dib’s success. In 2018, he was recognised as one of Australia’s top performing agents with a No 28 ranking in the prestigious Real Estate Business (REB) Top 100 Agents. He has been a finalist for the REB Salesperson of the Year Award three times. He is Concord’s No 1 agent by every measure including sales volume, sales value and client recommendations, as independently verified on RateMyAgent, realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. An average of 100 locals sell their homes with Dib every year. Unlike many of Sydney’s top agents, Dib loves selling typical family homes as much as prestige waterfront estates. He sees every property as a unique asset that can be made more valuable through smart marketing and plain hard work. Several generations of the Chidiac family live locally and Dib is proud to carry on this tradition with his wife, Stephanie. He began his career with Raine & Horne Concord; and over 10 years rose through the ranks to become the national network’s No 1 agent for four consecutive years (2015-2018). Starting his own independent agency, DIB CHIDIAC, in 2019 was a natural next step that enabled Dib to expand his services beyond Concord. Dib Chidiac 0415 657 331 dibchidiac.com.au
References • WestConnex website – www.westconnex.com.au • M4 East Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 2A, Appendix D (available for download at www.westconnex.com.au) • Barr, E., ‘Homebush residents to pay for street parking after WestConnex workers fill their streets’, Inner West Courier Inner West, 16 August 2016 • O’Sullivan, M., ‘Delay to opening of second stage of WestConnex motorway to motorists’, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 August 2016 • Nicholls , S., ‘Mike Baird’s concern for WestConnex residents not matched by his actions’, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 August 2016 • Saulwick, J., ‘Lucy Turnbull ‘not aware’ of destruction of heritage Haberfield homes for WestConnex’, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 August 2016 • Saulwick, J., ‘New tunnel under Victoria Road added to WestConnex at no extra cost, government says’, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 July 2016 • O’Rourke, J., ‘Residents to keep the spoils of yore’, Inner West Courier, 13 September 2016, p.8 • Barwell. D, ‘$1 billion buyout’, Inner West Courier, 13 September 2016, p.9 DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this e-book is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not appropriate for individuals seeking financial planning advice or options.
133 Cabarita Road Cabarita NSW 2137 02 9136 6472 dibchidiac.com.au
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