[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: 'Federal and NSW Greens MPs Call for Cancellation of WestConnex and Diversion of Commonwealth and State Money into Public Transport at Sydney Park'

[Matthew Hilton]

Media Release
16.12.14
Federal and NSW Greens MPs Call for Cancellation of WestConnex and Diversion of Commonwealth and State Money into Public Transport at Sydney Park
Australian Greens Transport & Infrastructure Spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice, Greens NSW MP and Spokesperson for Roads and Transport, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC,  Greens MP Jamie Parker, member for Balmain and Leichhardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous were yesterday joined at Sydney Park by local residents, members of the WestConnex Community Action Groups and local government councillors to call for the cancellation of the WestConnex toll road and called for the full diversion of Commonwealth and State money into public transport
[Higher resolution photo available on request]
Greens NSW Roads and Transport Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi said:
"The Westconnex toll road will rip through communities, taking over homes and consuming public parks with providing any transport, social or economic benefits.
"The Greens are calling for a full cancellation of the project and a redirection of funds into world-class public transport alternatives such as light rail, park and rides and upgrading train signalling to double capacity.
"If the $15 billion WestConnex toll road goes ahead, it will come at the expense of not only public transport, but also public schools and hospitals" Dr Faruqi concluded.
"The Government needs to admit that WestConnex is a lemon and invest in transport solutions that will work, not the moving feast of random lines drawn on a map.
Australian Greens Transport & Infrastructure Spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice said:
"We've seen the former Victorian government try to plough East West Link through Melbourne and now we're seeing the same roads addiction with WestConnex in Sydney.
 "These polluting toll roads come at a massive cost and won't fix congestion.
 "We need to be prioritising investment in public transport to bring Australia's transport system into the 21st Century.
 "Victorians voted 'no' to East West Link and the NSW government should heed that warning ahead of the upcoming state election.
 "The NSW government must make the secret business case for WestConnex public before the state election." Senator Rice concluded.
Media contact: Matt Hilton for Dr Mehreen Faruqi 9230 2625| 0423 106 247
Sam Drummond for Senator Rice (03) 9384 6199 | 0400 352 935