Analysis

Throughout this analysis of the our primary and secondary information we have specifically addressed our aim and focus questions listed below:

Focus Questions:

What will be the most common reaction from the local community regarding the necessity of this new development plan?

In accordance to our primary and secondary sources, it can be concluded that there are many outstanding opinions and views on the topic of the proposed Moorebank Intermodal scheme. Our survey results show 60% of the residents surveyed strongly disagreed with the intermodal proposal and 24% disagreed. Only 8% of residents agreed while another 8% had no certain opinion. A majority of the residents we surveyed also disagreed that having an intermodal would not positively benefit the local community as 28% disagreed and 52% strongly disagreed. The results of these survey questions have suggested and dedutced from the reactions and attitudes of the surveyed public currently residing in the local community is that they are generally not in favour of the proposed development and changes to land use on the nearby site to provide area for the Moorebank intermodal.

How will the new intermodal development affect the local communities?

The Moorebank Intermodal will affect the local communities to a great extent both beneficially and negatively. During our interview with Narelle van den Bos she outlined key points relating to the intermodal's potential environmental, economical and social issues. She said the project will increase the traffic congestion of both the Hume Highway and the M5 and decrease the property value of the local resident's houses. She mentioned there could be almost 14,000 trucks every day, 600 every hour, 10 per minute or one every six seconds going in and out of the freight terminal proposed by SIMTA. She explained the government has not truly conveyed to the public the relevant facts linking to the intermodal. She stated that the government found the benefits of the intermodal will add up to $10 billion; however they did not mention that this would be the total after 30 years. In today's terms the intermodal's benefits will as an estimate add up to only $2.3 billion. In addition she stated the cost of the infrastructure needed to build a railway for the intermodal and the cost of moving the Moorebank Defence Units so the intermodal will have enough space will effectively cancel the $10 billion to almost no benefits. Throughout the detailed business case summary conducted by the federal government from our secondary data many economic, social and environmental benefits of the intermodal project were listed. The government explains there will be an increased attraction of people to work around the area of the intermodal and hence create more employment and jobs for the population. It is also expected by the government that an increase in freight service reliability will be evident after the completion of the rail spur construction and the intermodal terminal. Ultimately if the intermodal project were to be carried out, while there may be benefits for the Australian population on the whole, there will definitely be a immensely negative impact on the local surrounding communities. 

What are the environmental impacts of the Moorebank intermodal project?

Our interview with Narelle van den Bos has indicated that on the whole the intermodal project will impact the environment in a negative and extreme manner. She stated that 600 adult trees will be cut down, subsequently leaving threatened species of animals without many other sustainable habitats as the proposed site of the intermodal is only one of a few parcels of available open land.  It can be concluded that the environment will be severely affected if the intermodal project were to go ahead.

Is this new Moorebank intermodal plan sited in an appropriate area?

From our group's surveys we have conducted, it can be concluded that the residents of the local surrounding community of Wattle Grove and Moorebank are not in favour of the intermodal to be constructed on the Moorebank site as 24% of residents disagreed and 24% strongly disagreed that Moorebank is a suitable place for this intermodal. In addition Narelle van dan Bos does not believe Moorebank is an appropriate area for the proposed intermodal. She stated that Moorebank is not situated in the direct west so wouldn't be convenient for distributing around Sydney. The Moorebank location of the site is very close to people’s homes and the local communities. She mentioned that the Moorebank intermodal would worsen the affects of noise pollution, traffic, light spill etc. Resident's house prices may also drop due to the potential negative effects of the intermodal which are usually quite unattractive to house buyers. Due to all the negative impacts of the Moorebank intermodal and the attitudes and opinions of people currently residing near the site of proposed development and land use changes, Moorebank is not an appropriate area for the new intermodal plan.