[Greens-Media] Federal Transport Inquiry Report: Rees must get house in order or miss funding

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
21 August 2009


Federal Transport Inquiry Report: Rees must get house in order or miss funding

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today's report of a Federal Senate Inquiry into Public Transport sends a clear message that the NSW government must develop rigorous public transport plans to be in the running for Commonwealth funding, or miss out. Ms Rhiannon called on Premier Rees to heed the report's message about the benefits of public transport for the environment, public health and the economy.

Federal Greens Senator Scott Ludlam initiated this inquiry that reported today: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/public_transport/report/index.htm 

"This report again shows why the NSW government's shambolic public transport plans must be finessed to take advantage of the significant economic, environmental and social benefits of world class public transport for Sydney," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"A key recommendation is that Commonwealth funding will only flow after an assessment of whether the state government has adopted an integrated, inter-modal, best-practice approach to transport planning and management (Rec 4).

"NSW Labor's public transport record is dismal, with a string of delayed or canned projects. This inquiry calls for 'catch-up' transport planning to get Sydney moving.

"Infrastructure Australia has already snubbed the NSW government and refused funding for key projects like the Western metro because it judged NSW is not up to the job of turning public transport plans into reality. 

"This new report against underlines why it is imperative that NSW invest in public transport. It recognises what the NSW government has been blind to for a decade. 

"The report sees the value of investing in public transport over motorways, saying roads encourage car use and entrench poor urban development.  It covers a key issue of our age - global oil shortages and the need to manage our oil dependence. 

"The inquiry emphasises the value of public transport to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, boosting the economy and improving public health.

"The Minister for Transport David Campbell should study this report and develop coherent, thorough transport plans for Sydney that enable his government to take advantage of Commonwealth funding and a boost to public transport services.   

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568