[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: 'NSW Government must heed Federal warnings on ‘gambler’s addiction to roads’' - Greens NSW MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
23.07.14
NSW Government must heed Federal warnings on ‘gambler’s addiction to roads’
Greens MP and NSW Spokesperson for Roads, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has commented on reports of a leaked Infrastructure Australia report (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/billions-spent-on-roads-in-8220hideously-inefficient8221-way-20140722-zvqcg.html) that describes “hideously inefficient” spending on national roads. The NSW Government is wasting billions of dollars building the NorthConnex and WestConnex tollways.

Dr Faruqi said:

“The Roads Minister would do well to listen to Infrastructure Australia, who have long had questions about the WestConnex business case, and who are now saying that Australia has a ‘gambler’s addiction to roads’.

“This view confirms what the Greens have long been warning about, that this Government’s obsession with roads is ill-conceived.

“For many transport experts and communities, the description of road spending as an addiction rings true, especially as the government has been so secretive about the business case for the 13 billion dollar WestConnex tollway.

“When the Government spends billions on roads that are unnecessary and won’t solve congestion, such as WestConnex and NorthConnex tollways, there are no funds left to build effective transport solutions in regional NSW and metropolitan Sydney.

“The way to remove congestion in Sydney is not through building expensive tollroads shrouded in secrecy, but rather rolling out effective and efficient public transport options to underserved areas”, she concluded.

Dr Faruqi is a civil and environmental engineer.

Media Contact: Matt Hilton 0423 106 247


Matt Hilton
Legislative, Policy and Media Adviser

Office of Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC
Legislative Council | NSW Parliament
E: matthew.hilton at parliament.nsw.gov.au<mailto:matthew.hilton at parliament.nsw.gov.au>
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Mail: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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