[Greens-Media] Infrastructure NSW vision: more cars, more tolls, more congestion

[Peter Stahel]

Infrastructure NSW vision: more cars, more tolls, more congestion 

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says Infrastructure NSW's plan to delay critical public transport infrastructure in favour of motorways will simply increase the number of cars on our roads and contribute to worsening congestion.

"We couldn't have expected anything more from what is essentially a motorway consortium front group. The vision that Infrastructure NSW has for this state is for tollways and private sector profiteering," said Ms Faehrmann. 

"This report is an uninspiring rubber stamp to business as usual for NSW. Infrastructure NSW was supposed to be about taking the politics out of infrastructure planning, but without any community representation on the board we've ended up with just another powerful roads lobby group. 

"The single most important transport project to get Sydney moving again is the second harbour rail crossing. It would boost the capacity of the entire network, but its being delayed in favour of motorways that everyone knows will do absolutely nothing to relieve congestion in the medium to long term.

"The Premier must stand up to Infrastructure NSW Chairman Nick Greiner and the private sector. Everyone knows that more motorways will put Sydney in a stranglehold.  

"Additional motorways simply deliver choke points somewhere else in the system and create more space for more cars. That's what the roads lobby wants but it isn't what will serve the community best. 

"The only way forward is to invest in a world class public transport system that can withstand the major challenges ahead such as oil depletion and population growth.

"We need genuine alternatives to driving. Our infrastructure planning should be focussed on giving people the option of leaving the car at home," said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727