Futile tilt for road funding

It’s amazing how vested interests and lobby groups emerge at election time.

The NRMA, in its role as roads lobbyist, put out a news release carrying the headline “Wentworth could be determined by roads” based on a poll it commissioned in 12 electorates considered marginal.

Around 300 voters were polled in Wentworth, the NRMA reported, and the survey “found that the condition of local roads (70 per cent) was rated as being an important voting issue”.

But had the NRMA done its homework, it would have known the three parties contesting Wentworth agree on transport.

Malcolm Turnbull has long advocated public transport as the way to go in a congested area like Wentworth. When going about his electoral business, he prefers to use the bus network, even naming the 389 route as his favourite.

Labor’s candidate holds a similar position.  Having studied urban planning, Steven Lewis has visited European cities examining their strategies to facilitate mobility for its citizens.

Lewis explained that heavy rail and light rail were being improved in the UK and Europe.   “In Sydney’s case we’re not using the harbour enough,” he said.

The Greens support public transport and their candidate Matthew Robertson is quick to espouse its increased use on grounds of convenience, cost or the environment.

Concerns of voters in Wentworth regarding transport most often cited are traffic congestion and parking which they see as a result of there being too many cars.

Pressed for a solution, suggestions are usually for measures to “get people out of their cars” and better public transport. The three candidates quite properly reflect this.

Wentworth voters can breathe a sigh of relief that at least their three main candidates can agree on something.

– BY PETER McCALLUM