Do you want eight trains parked in your backyard? December 2005

The poster goes on to claim that during construction of the facility, (at least 3 months) there will be a massive access mad built from the corner of Burren Street and Erskineville Road through to the facility - destroying the square outside the dry cleaners and the Thai restaurant. Trucks will be turning into the access road across Erskineville Road. Heavy trucks will also still use Charles and Wilson Streets and a 7.5 meter high wall will be visible along the length of the facility from Burren Street.

Terry Murphy, former City of Sydney Councillor for the area, told the Herald: "When State Rail pulled down the railway sheds on that site, I was concerned because it could have been sold off for units. It would make a great place for units but the area is already crowded and parking is an issue. So State Rail is using the area for trains to improve the train services in the metropolitan area. It looks good to me!" Organisers of the rally against the proposal say, "We recognize that this development is part of the State Government's bigger plans to fix the appalling state of the train system and we are all interested in having a well run public transport that runs regularly and on-time. However, this development is being pushed through without either adequate public consultation, consideration of alternatives or the impact on our community!"

A community meeting was held on November 13 at the Newtown library. One of those present was former South Sydney Mayor and Sydney city Councillor Tony Pooley. He told the South Sydney Herald, "Burren Street is a really positive proposal as, currently, we are taking trains out to Campbelltown every night. Given the concentration of trains on the inner-city network, having this facility close to the inner-city will be an advantage. Residents concerns have been taken into account and a 6 metre high wall will be built to encapsulate the sound. A very limited number of parking spaces will be lost - a total of 28 across the site. Council has a number of responsibilities, including ensuring to that adjacent residential parking is restricted for residents. State Rail should look at making the proposed temporary access road on to Railway Parade permanent as Burren Street is probably not appropriate." In relation to there not being enough consultation, Tony pointed out that the application was first received in 2002.

One State Rail official pointed out that in the end, it is a State Government proposal and Council is powerless to stop it- all it can do is to discuss improvements.