PUT THE PARRAMATTA TO EPPING RAIL LINK IN THE BUDGET

Media Release | Wednesday, 6 June 2012

PUT THE PARRAMATTA TO EPPING RAIL LINK IN THE BUDGET

WE WERE PROMISED AN INFRASTRUCTURE PREMIER – WHERE IS HE?

Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, John Robertson is calling on Barry O'Farrell to start work on the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link in next week's budget – unlocking $2.1 billion in infrastructure funding for NSW.

"The people of NSW were promised an Infrastructure Premier; the question is – where is he?" said Mr Robertson.

"The only person standing in the way of the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link is Barry O'Farrell.

"This project is a no-brainer. By pledging $520 million today, the state will receive a guaranteed return of $2.1 billion from the Federal Government.

"It is like paying a 20 per cent deposit on your house and someone else covers the mortgage."

The call comes as new figures published by NSW Treasury show that $2.7 billion allocated in last year's budget for infrastructure still hasn't been spent.

"Barry O'Farrell needs to stop bickering and start building," said Mr Robertson.

"According to the Government's own figures, there is more than the $520 million available right now to start work on the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link.

"The Parramatta to Epping Rail Link would cut travel times between Chatswood and Parramatta by 25 minutes and connect workers in south west and western Sydney with jobs at Macquarie Park, North Ryde and Chatswood.

"Barry O'Farrell promised to be the Infrastructure Premier but one year on – spending on road and rail has plummeted and work still hasn't started on a single major project for NSW.

"My message to the Premier is simple – stop breaking promises and start delivering the projects the people of western Sydney deserve."

Shadow Minister for Transport Penny Sharpe said there are no excuses for delaying the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link given the money is available now.

"The Premier has said he will fully fund the North West Rail Link and declared on the record that he thinks the Parramatta to Epping line is a good project. There is no reason why he can't build both.

"Barry O'Farrell promised to be the Infrastructure Premier but instead he has cut infrastructure spending and turned down $2.1 billion in Federal funding for public transport in western Sydney," said Ms Sharpe.