[One-off road projects like WestConnex are based on 1960s thinking. Some of todays politicians might think is a good idea, but it is not the way to plan for the long term success of our city.] With the federal government taking 82 per cent of Australias tax revenue, asset sales are a last resort for state governments who need to fund infrastructure for transport, education and health. Assets cant be sold twice, so the opportunity to spend this one-off $20 billion lump sum wisely wont come around again. Decisions about what infrastructure to build and where to build it must flow from a coherent, publicly accepted plan. Housing development, transport, education, health and jobs need to be considered together in a transparent process based on credible evidence, good planning and an eye to the long term. Westconnex has been spruiked as a freight solution for Sydneys airport and seaport, but the proposed project does not actually connect to either of them. The research and modelling to support WestConnex is being kept secret. Important details including the Review of Environmental Factors will only be revealed after a contract has been signed. This is dictation, not consultation.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 01:32:55 +0000
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