Greens want NSW Government to scrap key road infrastructure projects in favour of metro rail line
The NSW Greens want the newly-installed Rees Government to scrap critical road infrastructure projects in favour of public transport initiatives.
Following speculation the Government is thinking of scrapping the $12 billion north-west metro rail plan because of a budget deficit, Greens spokeswoman on transport Lee Rhiannon says the solution is to abandon freight projects.
Rhiannon claims the only way to lift NSW from the “economic doldrums” is to divert resources to public transport infrastructure.
“Premier Rees seems set to continue [former premier Morris] Iemma’s legacy of hanging onto damaging projects like the M4 East, the Victoria Road upgrade and the Port Botany expansion while turning its back on public transport,” Rhiannon says.
“The government should drop its plans for the M4 East, a truck tunnel from Port Botany, the Victoria Road upgrade and the massive upgrade of the Pacific Highway.”
According to Rhiannon, the proposed $1 billion Port Botany expansion is “ill-conceived” as it will only create more truck traffic and increase congestion levels.
“While it’s imperative to fix road black spots, building new motorways, tunnels and bridges are not the answer when faced with climate change and peak oil,” she says.
Rhiannon’s comments come in response to Rees’ decision to evaluate the metro rail plan after announcing a $1 billion deficit in government revenue.
The Port Botany expansion project began in July. The project will create five new shipping births and almost double the capacity of the container terminal as well as construct an inter-terminal road-rail corridor.