[Greens-Media] Tunnel debts ring warning bells for new motorway projects: Greens

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 11 December 2008

Tunnel debts ring warning bells for new motorway projects

Greens MP and roads spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says the $1.1 billion of
public money that will flow to the Harbour Tunnel owners, and the ailing
Cross City and Lane Cove tunnel projects, are clear reminders of why the
government must drop its plans for new motorways and prioritise public
transport instead (p. 1, SMH).

“The government can prevent further bleeding of public funding to
private sector road companies by prioritising publicly funded and built
transport infrastructure not motorways,” Ms Rhiannon said. 
 
“The writing is on the wall: private sector road projects lose money
and Sydney needs more public transport.

“The NSW government compensated the Lane Cove Tunnel owners $25
million and the Cross City Tunnel owners around $100 million. 

“Taxpayers will fork out a predicted $13 million in penalty payments
by 2011 to the operators of the M5 East Tunnel.
 
“The Auditor General predicts $1.1billion of public funding will be
spent on the Harbour Tunnel by 2022 to ensure viability for its private
sector owners. 

“The government seems blind to these compensation payouts. 

“It keeps cancelling public transport projects and clinging to
motorway plans. 

“New road plans on the table include duplicating the M5, the M4 East,
new lanes for the M2, the Iron Cove Bridge project and expanded road
infrastructure linking Port Botany.

“There are significant economic, environmental and social costs in
failing to invest in top quality transport infrastructure for Sydney. 

“The government should stop its folly of pursuing new motorways and
dig deep for much needed heavy rail, bus and ferry services,” 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