[Greens-Media] Costa keeps F6 Freeway demolition squad on alert

[Kristian Bolwell]

MEDIA RELEASE23 March 2005 Costa keeps F6 Freewaydemolition squad on
alert In response to a question asked by Greens MP Lee Rhiannon,
Minister for Roads Michael Costa has further locked the government into
the F6 freeway expansion proposal. "I gave the Minister the opportunity
to rule out his proposal that would see the demolition of 200 homes -
but instead he stubbornly confirmed his comments made to the media," Lee
Rhiannon said.  "Mr Costa also failed to dismiss the growing perception
that the F6 push is designed to embarrass Rockdale MP Frank Sartor.  "In
question time, I asked the Minister:  How can you justify your ad hoc
decision to exhume the M6 [F6] from the Government's policy vault when
the idea had already been trashed by the former Roads Minister, Carl
Scully and where does this 'flip flop' sit with the Government's
floundering metropolitan strategy? How do you intend to sell this to
residents living in the motorway's path, when it will see their suburbs
bulldozed, wetlands destroyed, open space lost, roads clogged and air
quality destroyed? Do you know or care what the local member for
Rockdale, Frank Sartor's, position is on the M6 [F6], or is this a stunt
to try embarrass Mr Sartor and ruin his chances of becoming the next
Premier of NSW? "In reply all the Minister Costa was willing to say was
'I refer to the comments I have made publicly about this matter. I do
not intend to add anything further," added Lee Rhiannon.   More
information:  Kristian Bolwell, 9230 3551, 0411638320