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Prime Minister Rudd supports Thompson Square
Volunteers and members of Community Action for Windsor Bridge were thrilled when Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd today visited the Thompson Square, Windsor: a much loved and historically significant town square and community precinct in Sydney’s north west region.
Dating from 1795, it is Australia’s oldest towns square, currently under threat from plans by the NSW Government to bulldoze a major arterial road through the most significant of Macquarie’s ‘Five Towns’.
The Prime Ministerial visit comes soon after Federal Heritage Minister, Mark Butler threw ‘his support behind the community’s push to list Thompson Square on the National Heritage Register,’ and of his acknowledgement that ‘the Square deserves to be protected for future generations’.
Minister Butler’s support comes on top of a $500,000 independent study announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd into options for traffic solutions to protect Thompson Square. CAWB has, without success, sought meetings with the local Liberal candidate to establish her Party’s position on the matter.
During his visit, Prime Minister Rudd spoke with locals to gain a better appreciation of the proposed project and the historic significance of the Square. He was interested in the ‘wool bombing’ project which has seen hand pieced woolen ‘blankets’ wrapped around the trees in the Square and was clearly knowledgeable about Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who named the Square after a redeemed convict, Andrew Thompson.
Before departing the Prime Minister added his signature to the supporters’ wall and chatted with locals who had gathered to see him. Mr Rudd acknowledged the hard work of Labor candidate, Susan Templeman, who had invited him to visit the Square. He committed a returned Rudd Government to looking closely at heritage listing the Square.
CAWB Chairman, Mr Dail Miller says the Prime Minister’s visit is extremely timely as protestors, occupying the Square around the clock anticipate an announcement by the State Government very soon. “Let’s hope the PM’s visit serves to remind local and State politicians this is a matter of national significance.” Mr Miller says, noting, “It is unthinkable that we may be confronting an arterial road and the resulting industrial juggernauts increasingly plying their trade in this historic community precinct.”
Community Action for Windsor Bridge is seeking the renovation of the historic Windsor Bridge, in addition to a bypass and new bridge, effectively doubling river crossing service capacity.
Volunteers and members of Community Action for Windsor Bridge were thrilled when Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd today visited the Thompson Square, Windsor: a much loved and historically significant town square and community precinct in Sydney’s north west region.
Dating from 1795, it is Australia’s oldest towns square, currently under threat from plans by the NSW Government to bulldoze a major arterial road through the most significant of Macquarie’s ‘Five Towns’.
The Prime Ministerial visit comes soon after Federal Heritage Minister, Mark Butler threw ‘his support behind the community’s push to list Thompson Square on the National Heritage Register,’ and of his acknowledgement that ‘the Square deserves to be protected for future generations’.
Minister Butler’s support comes on top of a $500,000 independent study announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd into options for traffic solutions to protect Thompson Square. CAWB has, without success, sought meetings with the local Liberal candidate to establish her Party’s position on the matter.
During his visit, Prime Minister Rudd spoke with locals to gain a better appreciation of the proposed project and the historic significance of the Square. He was interested in the ‘wool bombing’ project which has seen hand pieced woolen ‘blankets’ wrapped around the trees in the Square and was clearly knowledgeable about Governor Lachlan Macquarie, who named the Square after a redeemed convict, Andrew Thompson.
Before departing the Prime Minister added his signature to the supporters’ wall and chatted with locals who had gathered to see him. Mr Rudd acknowledged the hard work of Labor candidate, Susan Templeman, who had invited him to visit the Square. He committed a returned Rudd Government to looking closely at heritage listing the Square.
CAWB Chairman, Mr Dail Miller says the Prime Minister’s visit is extremely timely as protestors, occupying the Square around the clock anticipate an announcement by the State Government very soon. “Let’s hope the PM’s visit serves to remind local and State politicians this is a matter of national significance.” Mr Miller says, noting, “It is unthinkable that we may be confronting an arterial road and the resulting industrial juggernauts increasingly plying their trade in this historic community precinct.”
Community Action for Windsor Bridge is seeking the renovation of the historic Windsor Bridge, in addition to a bypass and new bridge, effectively doubling river crossing service capacity.