Support for WestConnex remains stoic

Federal Grayndler MP Anthony Albanese has pledged $1.8 billion towards the construction of the WestConnex Motorway, despite the recent history of failed tollways and the State Government pulling funding.

The Federal Labor funding will not cover the total cost of building the motorway, will not be available until the 2019/20 financial year and is conditional on the WestConnex not implementing tolls. Mr Albanese’s pledge comes in response to an earlier Opposition pledge to commit $1.5 billion to the project.

Hall Greenland, the Greens’ candidate for Grayndler at this year’s federal election, said the economic and planning rationale for building new toll roads was highly dubious.

“We know that these motorways are dodgy financial propositions with a number of them failing financially in recent years. The most recent was the Brisbane tollway to the airport with the operator going bankrupt,” he said.

“The reason for the collapse of these tollways appears to be that car use has flattened out in the past decade and the public is turning to public transport. This suggests that scarce public funds and private finance should go to improving and expanding public transport.”

A spokesperson for Mr Albanese said planning is a state government responsibility and uncertainty from the project should be handled accordingly.

“The detailed planning work is now underway and these issues should be addressed by the project’s proponent – the NSW Government,” said the spokesperson.

The Federal Government has provided record funding for non-car transport as an alternative to toll roads, according to the government spokesperson.

“We have committed more to urban public transport than all governments combined from Federation right through to 2007, [which amounts to] $13 billion. The Parramatta to Epping Rail Link remains vital to Sydney’s future and we would urge the NSW Government to reconsider their decision to shelve it,” said the spokesperson.

Cedric Spencer, the Liberal candidate for Grayndler, said the WestConnex would aid businesses in the Grayndler region.

“WestConnex will only benefit local businesses. It will help ease traffic congestion by getting heavy vehicles off the road, making it easier for people to access businesses and services in their own backyards,” he said.

“Empty shops are springing up everywhere in Grayndler: the occupancy rate at Italian Forum is now at 40 per cent. This is alarming.”

NSW Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, said WestConnex will be essential for the transportation of NSW’s burgeoning population.

“Sydney’s population growth – which is expected to exceed more than five million people in coming years – dictates that we need to invest in infrastructure to meet the growing demand of road users,” he said.

But Shadow Minister for Roads, Ryan Park, hit out at the lack of detail on funding estimates and no apparent time framework.

“It is important to remember that the NSW Government is yet to even get a firm understanding about how much this project will cost offering estimates between $10-$13 billion,” he said.