PRIORITY MUST BE GIVEN BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO MATCH FUNDING FOR THE MISSING F3/M2 LINK
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP said today that the New South Wales Government must match the funding by the Federal Government for $150 million rather than the abysmal $30 million they have promised.
“When I met with local State MP’s and local government to discuss collective action we discussed the urgent need for the State government to match the Federal funding of $150 million,” Mr Ruddock said.
“Any action that brings a decision to move to the environment study of an F3 to M2 motorway link closer is absolutely necessary.
“Traffic congestion, particularly on Pennant Hills Road is ever increasing and there needs urgent collaboration on behalf of both levels of Governments to move this project ahead,” Philip Ruddock said.
“This grant is subject to the NSW Government matching the funding with $30 million. At this time there is no indication that the NSW Labor Government will commit the matching funding required.
“Unfortunately, the project remains in limbo. The Department lists it as follows under the heading ‘Timetable’ on its website –
‘Key project data is currently being updated. The process for the next stage of work, route refinement and an Environmental Impact Statement is expected to commence in the near future.
Extensive community consultation will be included during the environmental assessment. A detailed investigation into cost estimates, economic analysis, funding and financing options will be considered during the next stage of planning’.
“While the Federal Government is meant to be negotiating project details with the State Government, it is the State which attaches priority to each project and I am disappointed and will continue to push for a resolution to the serious problem of congestion on Pennant Hills Road,” Philip Ruddock said.
“Regrettably no funding has been provided in the State Budget 2009-2010 for this essential work.
“The Labor government has walked away from their commitment. While grid-locked traffic on Pennant Hills Road increases, not only in the seat of Berowra, but the Central Coast and Western Sydney we should remind Labor that most importantly national infrastructure spending, which could be undertaken to improve national productivity, would be to complete the ‘missing link’, Mr Ruddock said.