[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: The bypass that doesn't

[Parnell]

Media release
Wednesday 26th November 2008

The bypass that doesn't


A controversial State Government-funded road bypass planned for the
picturesque tourist town of Penola in the State's South East will not
reduce the number of trucks currently clogging the town's main street,
says Greens MLC Mark Parnell.  

"Currently, over 550 heavy trucks every day jam up Penola's main street.
After this bypass is built, there'll still be 550 trucks," said Mr
Parnell.   

"Penola residents have been waiting for over 20 years for heavy vehicles
to be taken away from their beautiful and historic tourist town.  Yet
this crazy proposal will mean over $8 million of taxpayers' funds will
be spent, with not one less truck travelling through the heart of
Penola," he said.

In 2006, the State Government committed $4 million to part fund the
Penola Bypass, subject to the local Council's successful application for
matched Federal funding.  In September, this year, the Department for
Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI)  doubled the State's
commitment to $8.85 million, untied to Federal funding, to build just
the Southern half of the bypass, leaving the Northern end unfunded and
unlikely to be built.  The Northern section of the bypass
controversially cuts a swathe through prime Coonawarra vineyards.
Greens MLC Mark Parnell has asked questions about the project in State
Parliament.

"The Howard Government refused to fund this project, and the Rudd
Government appears just as reluctant.  Without Federal funding for the
controversial Northern section, this bypass won't remove any trucks from
Penola's main street. So, instead of being built to help the people of
Penola, this road project will only be used by the blue gum chip
industry.  

"Understandably, the local community is alarmed and frustrated by the
proposal.  Recently a petition opposing the current bypass route signed
by 40% of the town's population was presented to the local Wattle Range
Council.

"What's the point of the State Government funding a bypass for Penola
that won't remove even a single truck from the heart of the town?' he
said.   

	
For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	
 


---------------------------------------------------------------------
"The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, access to it is unauthorised and any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful."