NEW ROAD NAMES A COLOSSAL WASTE OF MONEY

MEDIA RELEASE | Thursday, 27 September 2012

NEW ROAD NAMES A COLOSSAL WASTE OF MONEY

O'FARRELL SPENDS BIG ON SIGNS - AS HE CUTS BILLIONS FROM SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS

The O'Farrell Government is wasting $20 million renaming roads across the State - in a move that won't save motorists a single minute in travel time or improve road conditions and safety.

This colossal waste of money comes at the same time the O'Farrell Government is cutting $1.7 billion from the NSW education system and $3 billion from NSW hospitals.

"This is a complete waste of money and an insight into the O'Farrell Government's real priorities," Acting Shadow Roads Minister, Penny Sharpe said today.

"The Premier is trying to play the people of NSW for fools if he thinks he can spend $20 million to rename roads, but then cut $1.7 billion from the education system and $3 billion from our hospitals.  

"Motorists want the O'Farrell Government to fix their roads and build new roads, not throw $20 million down the drain renaming them.

"Drivers won't save a single minute in travel time because the O'Farrell Government is renaming these roads.

"Safety on the Pacific Highway won't be improved because the Premier is renaming it. In fact, motorists are being forced to wait years longer for the road to be duplicated because Barry O'Farrell isn't funding his share of the project.

"The motorists of this State want new roads, less congestion and better road conditions, not new names for roads they already know are there."  

On top of the $20 million for new road signs, Barry O'Farrell is also wasting:  

• $256 million on government advertising;
• $230 million on consultant reports;
• $188 million on the failed regional relocation grant program;
• $116 million extra in spending for the Premier's department; and
• $3.2 million for two new Treasury officials.