THE shock resignation of Premier Mike Baird this morning has given hope to inner west groups opposed to WestConnex, council amalgamations and pub lock out laws.

Mr Baird’s decision to quit politics, mainly for family reasons, prompted renewed calls for a Parliamentary inquiry into the motorway.

Former Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne used the announcement to call for local government elections to be brought forward from September.

And those opposed to the Premier’s tough lockout laws say a change in leadership is a chance to lift the alcohol curfews.

Community groups and activists opposed to the WestConnex are celebrating the Premier’s announcement as a victory for the anti-motorway forces.

No WestConnex: Public Transport described the decision by Mr Baird to retire from politics as a “ huge win for the campaign”.

The WestConnex Action Group (WAG) said its battle to highlight negative issues associated with construction of the $16.8 billion toll road played a significant part in Mr Baird’s decision.

Both groups have called for work on WestConnex to halt immediately and for the project to be reviewed by a Parliamentary inquiry.

“Together we have exposed this government’s dastardly WestConnex. We must hold the new leader to account,” No WestConnex: Public Transport wrote on its Facebook page.

WAG, which has been targeting Baird as a “vandal” for pushing the project, said his support for WestConnex was a factor in his resignation.

“The same issues for WestConnex have plagued his approach to every controversial project he has rolled out,” spokeswoman Pauline Lockie said.

“He has failed to listen to the communities, failed to listen to expert evidence and he has just pushed on regardless.

“When you look at the commonalities of all these projects it does seem it’s about the massive sell off of public assets and public money going into private hands.”

Ms Lockie said local communities can take some credit for the resignation because they constantly highlighted the flaws in the project.

media_camera Protests have drawn attention to flaws in the WestConnex project that were a major factor in the Premier’s decision to resign, opponent to the motorway believe.

“The onus is going to be on the next Premier to actually start listening to the experts, start listening to the communities.

“We have been calling for a halt to work and an urgent review to take place and will urge the incoming Premier to do that.”

media_camera Work on the WestConnex interchange at St Peters will continue as the state waits for a new Premier.

No WestConnex: Public Transport spokesman Andrew Chuter said a Parliamentary inquiry would examine issues including why public transport was not pushed as an option and the poor land acquisition scheme.

“We think these are some of the main reasons why Baird’s popularity dropped so significantly,” Mr Chuter said.

“We can’t see the incoming Premier putting a moratorium on WestConnex construction however.”

The WAG Facebook page erupted, with dozens of comments flooding in, berating Mr Baird for allowing WestConnex to proceed.

“Good riddance” and “about time” were content themes throughout the dozens of messages posted in the minutes after the Premier released a statement saying he was quitting.

Louise Judd wrote on the WAG site: “Mike Baird has just resigned, best news ever”.

“Not only has he destroyed everything in his path, he rubs salt into the NSW wounds and tells us all how bloody proud he is of what he has done!” Maggie Cameron wrote.

Anthony Antoniadis commented: “Does this mean we all have to create new protest signs and banners?”

Mr Byrne — who was sacked during the State Government’s amalgamation reforms — said local government elections could be held in tandem with the Manly by-election.

“Hold it on the same day of the by-election that Mike Baird has caused,” he said.

“If the people in Manly get to have a vote and decide on their local representatives, then all people of NSW should get to vote on who their mayor and councillors are too,” he said.

“The next premier needs to know that this disgraceful, disrespectful war against our community must come to an end”.

Anti lockout law group Keep Sydney Open said the resignation was an opportunity for the Government to revitalise Sydney.

“We never hoped for Premier Baird’s resignation, instead we hoped he would be a constructive partner who’d pursue smart policy that could make Sydney both vibrant and safe,” campaign director Tyson Koh said.

“Mike Baird never pursued that goal. While the greatest cities in the world continue to respect night-life and enjoy innovative night time safety strategies, he refused to consider these examples and instead believed only in the blunt instrument of a curfew.

“Now the State Government has a remarkable opportunity before it.

“Sydney is ready to be revitalised with smart solutions to guarantee fun, culture, economic opportunity and safety for all Sydneysiders.

Keep Sydney Open intends to go forward with the night rally in Kings Cross scheduled for Saturday night.

“We want to prove the potential this city has to be a fun, cultural and safe place for all of us,” Mr Koh said.

Politics expert at the University of Sydney Peter Chen said he was shocked by the resignation.

“Politically it is a good time to go, he left when he was relatively popular — his popularity dropped but bounced back a bit at the end of last year- and there here is enough time for his successor to take over before the next election.

“I don’t think there is an alternative agenda here, he has had a lucrative career in finance previously and his experience now in huge complex state infrastructure projects will benefit his career.”

Dr Chen said he did not think any local projects, such as the proposed Bays Precinct redevelopment and WestConnex, would be affected by the decision.

“God bless the WestConnex protesters but (the project) is well under way now.

“It will be interesting to see how his successor looks at the Keep Sydney Open campaign as that policy has always had a life expectancy on it.”

Drummoyne Liberal MP John Sidoti said “countless” numbers of party members would throw down the gauntlet to replace departing Premier in a spill of leadership positions next week.

Mr Sidoti — who represents the only Liberal state electorate held in the inner west — was quick to add he wouldn’t be one of them.

While today’s announcement was met with mixed response in the inner west, Mr Sidoti said Mr Baird leaves behind a “strong legacy” including record investment in infrastructure.

“Some of the projects being delivered were meant to be completed before I was born,” the Five Dock-based MP said.

“We’re now seeing this great infrastructure being built such as WestConnex and the light rail and that’s because we had an agenda for it.”

“On both side of politics there are people who set out to really make a change and (Mr Baird) has made phenomenal change in such a short period of time.

“As an elected representative I believe you have to leave the place better than when you came in, and (Mike Baird) has certainly achieved that.”

Mr Sidoti said Mr Baird’s announcement based on family health issues meant he made “the right choice” .

“The position of premier is often a thankless job and it’s a 24 hour a day job,” Mr Sidoti said.

“He’s obviously got those personal reasons and he put them first”.