[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: 'NorthConnex Environmental Impact Statement Response Just a Rubber Stamp for a Wasteful Toll Road' - Greens NSW MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC

[Matthew Hilton]

Media Release
12.12.14
NorthConnex Environmental Impact Statement Response Just a Rubber Stamp for a Wasteful Toll Road
Greens NSW MP and Spokesperson for Roads and Transport has called the recently released environmental impact statement response for the NorthConnex project a rubber stamp for the Government's plans.

Dr Faruqi said:

"The transport and environmental case for the NorthConnex toll road doesn't stack up and this environmental impact statement is just a rubber stamp for the Government's plans.

"The Government claims that rail is not able to meet the needs of freight, but they are relying on a 2004 report which references an out of date freight target and does not look at the specific situation of Pennant Hills Road and the North.

"The community's very real concerns about polluting smoke stacks in residential areas that still haven't been addressed.

"There is still no justification for this billion dollar lemon and this environmental impact statement is entirely inadequate as it has failed to answer any of the key concerns critics have of this project.

"The Government claims taxpayers giving almost a billion dollars to a toll road operator represents value for money, but it is clear that this is just another handout to a dying toll road sector.

"There has been no investigation why Newcastle is being restricted as a container port and all freight forced to be routed through Sydney.

"We know that this government has a bias towards roads, evidenced by the fact that more than two-thirds of freight projects funded by this government are roads, even though rail is far more efficient" she concluded.

Media contact: Matt Hilton for Dr Mehreen Faruqi 9230 2625| 0423 106 247