THE Prime Minister’s wife Lucy Turnbull has apologised after she admitted she did not know Haberfield heritage homes had been demolished for WestConnex.

The Greater Sydney Commission chair and former Sydney Lord Mayor outraged WestConnex opponents last week when she said on ABC Radio she did not know Haberfield heritage homes had been acquired and destroyed to build the $16b motorway.

“I have learned a lot in the past week,” Mrs Turnbull said.

“No one wants to lose their home. No one wants to see heritage destroyed. I know there has been strong community anger about the issue. I have heard those messages loud and clear.”

media_camera Greater Sydney Commission chief Lucy Turnbull has apologised after her comments about WestConnex on ABC Radio. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Mrs Turnbull said she was sorry for causing offence or implying she did not care about homes, including heritage homes, being demolished for WestConnex.

More than 120 homes and units have been reduced to rubble since WestConnex came to Haberfield and neighbouring Ashfield.

Mrs Turnbull compared the decimation to similarly unpopular heritage losses at Millers Point, Macquarie St and the lower north shore.

media_camera Heritage homes demolished to make way for WestConnex. The government has also failed to salvage heritage items from hundreds of homes.

media_camera A partially demolished heritage home in the WestConnex construction zone.

“Heritage is important to me and to the Greater Sydney Commission,” Mrs Turnbull said.

“While not a direct comparison, it reminds me of the loss of early colonial buildings at Millers Point due to the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s construction in the 1920s.

“It reminds me of the demolition of Burdekin House — an early architectural treasure in Macquarie St — to make way for Martin Place in the 1930s, and it reminds me of many old homes on the lower north shore removed for the Warringah Expressway in the 1960s.”

media_camera Liz Slakey standing on the path that used to overlook her home, which is now gone because of WestConnex.

Liz Slakey’s Federation house was among the first acquired by WestConnex last December, after she received notification in November 2013.

“(Her comments) were so insulting,” Mrs Slakey said, gazing at the empty space on Ramsey Rd where her family’s home once stood.

“It’s our largest ever road project and the Greater Sydney Commission has no idea what its impact is.”

media_camera Vince Crow of the Haberfield Association previously said the government was not living up to its promise of salvaging heritage items from Haberfield houses demolished for WestConnex.

Mrs Turnbull only learned about the demolition this week — but the anger and distress has consumed those who lost their homes for almost three years now.

“It was constantly at the forefront of your mind,” Mrs Slakey said. “It was done in the most painful way and it was difficult to think of anything else.”

Summer Hill state Labor MP Jo Haylen also expressed her astonishment at Mrs Turnbull’s comments.

“It’s a slap in the face to hundreds of residents who lost their homes,” she said.

media_camera These homes were demolished for WestConnex construction in Haberfield.

Now the first stages of WestConnex are underway, Mrs Turnbull said investment in safe cycling and greater walkability along the WestConnex route needed to be prioritised.

Mrs Turnbull said the Commission had strong powers to influence government decisions with district plans, a strategic plan for the greater Sydney region, and an annual infrastructure priority list.

“I have been in contact with government agencies about the heritage impacts on homes and neighbourhoods,” Mrs Turnbull said.

“We must make sure we can do whatever we can to create better city making outcomes.

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IN THE NEWS SINCE 2013

media_camera Inner West Courier, December 2013

The Inner West Courier first reported on Haberfield residents’ opposition to WestConnex on December 10, 2013.

Residents formed the WestConnex Action Group) to fight demolition of heritage homes for the road project.

media_camera Inner West Courier, January 2014

On January 14, 2014, 400 residents opposed the project at an Ashfield Council meeting.

Former Strathfield state Liberal MP Charles Casuscelli and three WestConnex representatives were there.

media_camera Inner West Courier, November 2014

On November 4, 2014, an Ashfield mother parked her car over a bore hole in her street in protest to WestConnex.

On June 30, 2015, the Courier confirmed Haberfield homes in Ramsay, Martin, Walker, Northcote, Wollesley and Bland would be resumed.

WE ASKED — HABERFIELD ANSWERED

We asked people in Haberfield how they felt about Mrs Turnbull’s recent comments.

media_camera Ron in Haberfield.

“I think it is amazing. She was the Sydney Lord Mayor. It’s ridiculous — she must be oblivious.”

Ron, Haberfield

media_camera Sarah and Alison, Haberfield.

“You would think there would be a level of awareness. People would expect her to know.”

Sarah, Haberfield

“Well, she has been very busy. There has been a federal election on.”

Alison, Haberfield

media_camera Adele, Rozelle.

“Everyone knows Haberfield is a heritage suburb. It’s absolutely outrageous.”

Adele, Rozelle