Burgmann wants more light rail for the city

BY MICK ROBERTS

Dismantling the Cahill Expressway would be a waste of taxpayers’ money, according to Labor’s lord mayoral aspirant Meredith Burgmann.
Speaking with The City News last week, Dr Burgmann said her vision does not include a plan to replace the Cahill Expressway at Circular Quay.
‘I think that Clover’s plan to dismantle the Cahill Expressway is not only beyond the scope of council alone, but would be a colossal waste of billions when so many other resident needs are going unmet”, she said.
While rejecting ridding Sydney of what many argue is one of the city’s greatest eyesores, Dr Burgmann is not short on big spending ideas.
Extending the city’s light rail network and other public infrastructure is high on her list of election commitments.
“Community Labor and I plan to invest in quality infrastructure for Sydney, not in expensive PR strategies and spin”, Dr Burgmann said.
“Residents have overwhelmingly told me that they want council to focus on providing quality local infrastructure for our communities and this is what I plan to deliver,’ she said.
Although exactly where the money will come from is yet to be determined, Dr Burgmann said she wanted to see a light rail link from Central Railway Station, down to Barangaroo and around the point to the bottom of George Street.
‘This will take the pressure off Wynyard station, the capacity of which is at crisis point,’ she said.
Dr Burgmann also said she is committed to investigating the feasibility of light rail routes down George or Pitt Street and supports extending the existing light rail network to Dulwich Hill.
The costings for these projects would be subject to negotiation with other levels of government and/or the private sector, she said.
Dr Burgmann also said she would work to have the NSW Government expedite the current Metro-rail plans and she would fight for a ‘comprehensive underground’ Metro-rail network in the City.
“I will lead a council team that provides leadership in facilitating international standard infrastructure projects, but that understands the necessity of involving governments at all levels and the private sector,’ she said.
Although costings on the light rail network are yet to be determined, Labor’s team have put the price tags on other infrastructure projects such as a $50 million aquatic centre for South Sydney, around $8 million for neighbourhood and public space at Pyrmont and investigate a suitable site for a $5 million multi-purpose community centre at Waterloo.
Dr Burgmann said she was committed to ending traffic gridlock and making it easy for residents to make more sustainable transport choices.
‘I will demand the state provides frequent and reliable CBD-link bus services for the inner east, and the south,’ she said.
And while not losing sight of the ‘bread and butter’ issues, like footpaths, roads, signage and lighting, Labor has also promised to expand and connect the city’s cycleways.
Following Dr Burgmann on the Labor ticket is Linda Scott from Surry Hills, Belinda Comminos of Zetland, Trevor Davies of Darlington, Jo Holder of Darlinghurst, Sacha Bluman of Elizabeth Bay, Jonathan Yee of Sydney, Collin Lyon, Karen Wells of Glebe and Gregory Lovekin of Pyrmont.