[Greens-Media] O’Farrell must commit to no more motorways: Greens

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 10 December 2008 - Media Release

O’Farrell must commit to no more motorways

Greens MP and roads spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Opposition Leader
Barry O’Farrell must drop the Coalition’s longstanding pro motorway
policy and commit to backing public transport solutions for Sydney’s
congestion problems (p. 1, SMH).

“The Labor government has spent a decade pouring billions into
motorways and there is every indication that O’Farrell’s team, if
elected in 2011, will follow suit,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The Coalition has backed failed major road projects like the Cross
City Tunnel, the Lane Cove Tunnel and the M4, M5 and M2 motorways.

“Public transport is the best way to move people around Sydney
quickly, efficiently and in the most environmentally friendly manner,
but Barry O’Farrell likes to walk both sides of the street on this
issue.
 
“The Coalition might know that new roads are no panacea for
congestion but like Labor, it has long been in bed with the NRMA, road
lobby and construction companies.

“Both the major parties pocket significant political donations from
road building companies every year. 

“John Holland, Leighton, Thiess and Macquarie Bank finance or build
motorways and grease the process by donating to the major parties. 
 
"The major parties badge themselves as economically responsible, but
building new motorways is not the best use of taxpayers’ money. 

“The NSW government has set targets for reducing the number of
vehicle kilometres travelled by getting people out of their cards. We
already know these targets can’t be met because of a failure to spend
on new public transport.
 
"The best value for the transport and environment dollar lies with top
class public transport, cycling and pedestrian facilities, not adding
lanes to the M2 or duplicating the M5. 

“If Sydney is to ever beat congestion and provide solutions for
transport starved residents living in NW and SW Sydney the answer lies
with mass public transport, not roads.

“For Barry O’Farrell to prove his party is economically and
environmentally responsible he must commit to public transport, not
motorways,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au