Rebuilding NSW: 20-year vision for transport
Posted On September 12, 2012
The NSW Government today released its 20-year vision to deliver the State a world-class public transport, roads and freight network.
Premier Barry O’Farrell said this was the first time NSW would have an integrated transport plan which included all modes of public transport, roads, freight, cycling and walking.
“This is a plan for the whole of NSW developed with the people of NSW and it will deliver for major cities and rural and regional areas,” he said.
The draft Long Term Transport Master Plan includes more than 200 short, medium and long term actions and recommendations.
“While we are planning properly for the future, we are working hard today, and have made great progress on the North West Rail Link, Opal electronic public transport ticketing, and the widening of the M5 west,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“We have more than $53 billion earmarked for transport and roads infrastructure and services over the next four years.”
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said an evidence-based, integrated transport plan was badly needed in NSW.
“For too long transport planning in NSW has been piecemeal and political – we want to turn that around so taxpayers’ money is appropriately spent, and transport infrastructure is properly planned and delivered,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our State has suffered because of shameful waste on transport projects which were never delivered, including the failed Rozelle Metro which saw $500 million down the drain.
“This Government is getting on with the job of investing in crucial public transport and roads infrastructure and services in the short term, but we are also doing the detailed work to look ahead and ensure every decision we make fits into the bigger picture.
“The draft plan builds on Sydney’s Rail Future – which includes the North West and South West rail links, a second harbour rail crossing and a new CBD line, providing the foundation for 60 per cent more trains in the peak – to deliver an integrated public transport network for greater Sydney and essential links for regional areas.”
Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay said the draft plan identified 19 future transport corridors which is work that will benefit generations to come.
“Unfortunately the fact that this corridor preservation was not done in the past significantly adds to the cost of major projects we are building today,” he said.
“We’re committing to completing Sydney’s missing motorway links and investing heavily in the bush on key road links like the Pacific and Princes highways.
“We’ve listened closely to what people have had to say and we’ve come up with a draft plan that’s deliverable,” Mr Gay said.
Following the completion of the final Long Term Transport Master Plan, the Government will develop transport plans for 10 regions, and integrated modal and freight strategies.
Source: ProjectLink.com.au
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