Macquarie Fields MP releases results of Stop the Squeeze survey

Residents in the Macquarie Fields electorate have sent an overwhelming message to the Liberal State Government: it’s time to Stop the Squeeze!

That message forms the basis of a report launched today by Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong detailing the results of a survey in which thousands of constituents made it clear that overdevelopment is out of control.

“Emphatically, 98% of respondents said they have had enough of development in their suburb and 96% think developers have too much power,” Mr Chanthivong said.

 “The message to the Liberal State Government is clear – stop turning our local area into a developers’ dumping zone for more congestion, more high-rises and more urban splatter at the expense of our community’s character.

“We are fed up with your unfair planning agenda that threatens us with high-rise monstrosities, destroys our green open spaces and fails to deliver the infrastructure we need.”

Mr Chanthivong said every household in his electorate received a copy of the Stop the Squeeze survey, with thousands of people providing feedback on how they feel about development in their area, what they fear about overdevelopment and how important it is to them to save our green open spaces and maintain our suburban charm.

Stop the Squeeze results include:

• 95% of residents do not support more development in their suburb;
• 98% of people say it’s important to retain the area’s green open space and suburban charm;
• 88% of respondents think the Liberal Government won’t listen to their concerns;
• Residents listed “Loss of green open space”, “Traffic”, and “General overcrowding” as their top three concern about overdevelopment.

“Residents feel our area is bearing the brunt of development – it’s unfair and they want it to stop,” Mr Chanthivong said.

“Residents who moved to the area decades ago are scared for what the future holds, saying their streets are no longer recognisable due to increasing densities.”

Mr Chanthivong said residents wanted to see firm action on infrastructure before more people moved into local suburb.

“The scars of the Liberal Government’s poor and inappropriate planning will only result in more stifling congestion; more overcrowding of our trains, schools and hospitals; and more housing developments that squeeze people in while squeezing out the suburban backyard and green open space,” he said.

“We will not pander to the Liberal Government’s love affair with greedy developers where poor planning decisions have been made to the detriment of our community.”

The full Stop the Squeeze report, including suburb-by-suburb results, can be viewed online here. A limited number of hard copy reports are available by calling 9618 2077.