[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: NorthConnex Motorway Shows More Outdated Thinking (Greens NSW)

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
17.03.14

NorthConnex Motorway Shows More Outdated Thinking

Greens NSW Roads spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC has criticised the NSW government's plans for the NorthConnex toll road project.

Dr Faruqi said: "The NSW government is sending very mixed messages about their freight strategy for NSW. NorthConnex will keep trucks on Sydney's congested roads, while working against the government's own ambitious targets for freight rail.

"Like the unnecessary WestConnex motorway, this new toll road only means more pollution and more exhaust stacks, while doing very little to tackle congestion in Sydney.

"If the government were serious about improving people's lives and the economy they would be upgrading the Sydney-Newcastle rail line and introducing fast tilt-train services for commuters and travellers. This could be implemented for a fraction of the cost of NorthConnex.

"Instead, they just want to remove the heavy rail line in Newcastle, which is guaranteed to devastate train patronage levels and put more vehicles on the road."

She continued: "It's also deeply concerning that NorthConnex is the government's acquiescence to an unsolicited bid by private motorway operator Transurban, which also owns the M2 toll road. It's no coincidence that NorthConnex will feed directly into the M2. Taxpayers will foot the bill for the benefit of a private toll road company.

"One thing is clear: it's just become even harder for the NSW Coalition government to deny that it has an obsession with building unnecessary motorways."

Media contact: Michael de Waal 0413 681 482



Dr Mehreen Faruqi
Greens NSW MP

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

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