Compelling case for Northwest rail already exists

Residents of Northwest Sydney urgently need a Northwest rail line, not more delays, said the Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.

“The case for a Northwest rail line has been outlined, discussed, and analysed for decades,” Mr Hawke said.

“Comments by the Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, (RHT, 20 April 2011) that the NSW Government is required to put a ‘detailed proposal’ to Infrastructure Australia ‘to help push the case forward’, are a concern.

“The need for a Northwest rail line has been recognised by experts in the transport sector. The need has been recognised by Ron Christie, who has been described as ‘the state’s most respected transport bureaucrat,’ and who ran the State Rail Authority, the Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Public Works and the Olympic Roads and Traffic Authority.

“The need has been recognised by local councils, business and community groups, and successive state Labor Governments.

“And most importantly, the need has been recognised by residents throughout our community who labour each day on the clogged M2 and local roads.”

Mr Hawke said Ms Rowland should put the compelling case to redirect Federal Government funding for construction of a Northwest rail line directly to the Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, and without delay.

“Our local community is long past justifying the need for the Northwest rail line,” Mr Hawke said.

“The standard that is being asked of the NSW Government for Federal Government funding seems far greater than that of Federal Labor during the last Federal election campaign when they found $2.1 billion for the Epping to Parramatta link.

“Why must we again seek an explanation of the blatantly obvious.”