[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: 'Bus Infrastructure for Sale Under O’Farrell Government' - Greens NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
17/03/2014
Bus Infrastructure for Sale Under O’Farrell Government

Greens NSW Transport spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has expressed concern at UrbanGrowth NSW’s tender for the North Sydney bus depot, stating that the Government is showing its extremely short term vision for transport. Dr Faruqi is also concerned about the future of the Waverly bus depot, with the Liberal controlled council proposing strategic planning changes to the West Oxford Street Precinct.

“The sale of bus depots on public land would be catastrophic to providing efficient and on-time bus services around Sydney.

“With bus patronage increasing, it makes no sense to sell of strategically located bus depots around the city, including at North Sydney.

“It is clear that if bus depots are moved outside the city centre will mean later buses and more traffic congestion as drivers have to move their buses further and further out.
“This tender for the North Sydney depot shows that this government has no interest in strategic or long term thinking in public transport, but is more interested in revenue raising for the short term.

“In July last year, then O’Farrell Government flagged the redevelopment of Sydney’s crucial bus depot infrastructure, including at Waverley, Leichardt, Brook Vale and Port Botany – I expect the loss of the North Sydney depot to be the tip of the iceberg.

“The community at Waverley are also deeply concerned that Waverley Bus Depot will be the next piece of public transport infrastructure to be sold off”, she concluded.

The tender can be found here: http://www.urbangrowthnsw.com.au/work/for-builders-and-developers/registration-of-interest-north-sydney-bus-depot-359-ernest-street,-neutral-bay.aspx

Media contact: Matt Hilton 0423106247


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>
P: (02) 9230 2625 | M: +61423106247|F: facebook.com/mehreenfaruqi | T: @MehreenFaruqi | W: mehreenfaruqi.org.au
Mail: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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