Wahroonga Member Alister Henskens was patrolling local train stations at the beginning of May. 

Making an appearance at Pennant Hills Station on the 30th of April, Thornleigh Station on the 1st of May, and Waitara Station on the 2nd of May, Member Henskens sought to encourage the public to voice their opposition to the New South Wales Government’s proposed housing reforms. Member Henskens was perusing the stations between 6.30 am to 8.30 am on each day.

Alister Henskens has been openly opposed to the Labor Government’s housing plans, claiming it will dramatically impact the people of his electorate, in the Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby Shire Council areas.

In his submission to Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, and the Department of Planning, Member Henskens pushes back on the housing changes.

‘It is reprehensible that the Minister has not consulted and considered submissions from the public who are impacted by the proposed changes,’ he wrote in late February. ‘I count 18 of the 31 proposed TODs are in greater Sydney. Of the 18 in greater Sydney, it appears that 4 or 22.2% are in the one Local Government Area of Ku-ring-gai Council. This does not appear to be an equitable or rational allocation of the new rules.’

Member Henskens implored the Department of Planning to take stock, wind back, and re-evaluate this “assault” of the Wahroonga community.

At the time of print, Member Henskens had yet to visit the stations at Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, and Waitara.

The effectiveness of his efforts at the stations, rallying the community to vocally oppose the Labor Government’s plans, remain to be seen.

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