[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: Cancel WestConnex, Build the Full Parramatta Light Rail and Keep Poles and Wires says Greens MP (Greens NSW MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC)

[Matthew Hilton]

Media Release
25.11.14
Cancel WestConnex, Build the Parramatta Light Rail and Keep Poles and Wires says Greens MP

NSW Greens MP and Transport Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has called on the Government to cancel the WestConnex toll road and instead build the full Parramatta Light Rail and keep poles and wires in public hands.

Dr Faruqi said:

"The Premier has to stop holding Western Sydney to ransom over his disastrous plan to sell off NSW's productive poles and wires.

"The reality is if the Premier cancelled the wasteful and congestion inducing 15 billion dollar WestConnex toll road, Western Sydney could have a multi-line light rail network in the next term of Government as well as retain public ownership of poles and wires.

"Stage one of the Parramatta Light Rail, the Castle Hill and Macquarie Park lines, would cost just 10% of the total cost of the WestConnex motorway.

"Fund earmarked for WestConnex could also build a Parramatta Road light rail, buyback the Airport Line, improve automatic signalling on our trains to boost capacity and build park and ride
facilities at major train stations. Initiatives like this will cut congestion in Sydney significantly and foster economic growth and jobs.

"The only thing holding Sydney back from a world class public transport system is the reluctance of the NSW Government to invest in it.

"We know the people of NSW want public transport so it is time for Premier Baird to abandon the wasteful WestConnex project.

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