Govt blocks release of secret motorway plans for Sydney

The government won the vote by one joined by the Shooters Party and Fred Nile, with the Opposition voting with the Greens.

"Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal is keen to avoid scrutiny of his motorway plans but it's important that they are available to the public before they become concrete," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Minister Roozendaal said climate change and peak oil did not make it urgent to release the plans.

"Past call for papers by the Greens on the M5 East, the Cross City Tunnel and the Lane Cove Tunnel have embarrassed the government, so it has opted to pull down the shutters.

"Climate change and peak oil make it imperative that we debate the value of the government’s plans for Sydney's road network, but blocking access to these papers has left the community in the dark.

"Allowing the public to scrutinise traffic modelling, maps, discussion papers and costings is key to enabling proper debate on whether motorways should proceed.

"The Inner West community has been waiting in limbo for the full detail on plans for the M4 East, the Marrickville Truck Tunnel and an Inner West Motorway.

"Premier Iemma breaks public transport promises freely, but road announcements are rarely abandoned even if they defy common sense. Turning around the RTA once it's committed to a road proposal is like trying to turn around a massive tanker without tugs.

"The community must be given information to empower it to debate whether money should flow to energy efficient public transport or roads. Local residents should not be kept in the dark about where the RTA plans to site motorways, tunnels and emission stacks.

"Given the past poor performance of tunnel projects, and the growing recognition that motorways can face financial difficulties, the public must be able to have its say.

"Key documents must be released so the community can discuss whether Sydney's motorway plans make economic, social or environmental sense," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568.

116. Ms Rhiannon to move—
That, under standing order 52, there be laid upon the table of the House within 14 days of the date of passing of this resolution the following documents, created since January 2006, and not previously provided to the House, in the possession, custody or control of the Minister for Transport, the Department of Transport, the Minister for Planning, the Department of Planning, the Minister for Infrastructure, NSW Treasury, the Minister for Roads, or the Roads and Traffic Authority:
(a) all documents, including plans, relating to the M4 East extension or any further extensions,
including any extensions to Port Botany, Sydney airport or towards the CBD,
(b) all documents, including plans, relating to the widening of the M4,
(c) all documents, including plans, relating to an extension of the toll on the M4,
(d) all documents, including plans, relating to the F6 (also known as the M6) corridor, including any extensions to Port Botany, Sydney airport or towards the CBD,
(e) all documents, including plans, relating to other new road projects within the Marrickville,
Leichhardt and Canada Bay Local Government Areas, and
(f) any document which records or refers to the production of documents as a result of this order of the House.
(Notice given 3 June 2008)

[via Lee Rhiannon MLC Media Release Thursday 19 June 2008 link]