[Greens-Media] Greens demand more rigorous assessment of new Iron Cove Bridge

[Susie Gemmell]

Media Release 
11 February 2008
 
Greens demand more rigorous assessment of new Iron Cove Bridge
 
Speaking at a rally held yesterday to oppose the expansion of
Sydney’s Iron Cove Bridge, Greens MP and roads spokeperson Lee
Rhiannon called on the Government to either scrap the bridge upgrade, or
else to conduct a rigorous cost benefit analysis of expanding the bridge
rather than expanding public transport in Sydney’s Inner West. 
 
“If the Roads Minister is determined to go ahead, he must produce a
rigorous cost/benefit analysis so we can measure the hidden demons,”
said Ms Rhiannon. 
 
“What will be the real costs of induced traffic and congestion, poor
air quality, CO2 emissions, environmental damage and lost open space? 
 
“Has the government factored ‘peak oil’ into its traffic
projections?
 
“Only once the real costs of the project are on the table, alongside
public transport alternatives, can we have a genuine debate on its
merits.
 
“If the government won’t produce this information, or can’t, its
symptomatic of a roads and transport planning process in crisis.
 
“The government’s plans for Victoria road are a dog’s breakfast
and will do nothing to solve Sydney’s road chaos. 
 
“This so called ‘upgrade’ is a bankrupt solution that should be
canned.
 
“During 13 years in government NSW Labor has spawned one road project
blunder after another. 

“Labor pockets big donations from the likes of Leighton and Macquarie
Bank. These private sector donors get the road jobs while the public
gets dudded.
 
“Sydneysiders don’t want another ‘bandaid’ solution. They want
a permanent fix in the form of an efficient public transport system,”
said Ms Rhiannon.
 
 
For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568, 9230 3551

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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon-Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0431 458 102
Email susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au