The NSW Liberals & Nationals will build the South West and North West Rail Links
People in South West and North West Sydney, our major residential growth and employment areas, expect and deserve high quality public transport.
Many people bought homes and started businesses in the growth areas believing Labor promises and commitments would deliver new transport infrastructure to match population and commercial growth.
The North West Rail Link was first promised in 1998, to be open by 2010 at a cost of $50m per kilometre. It was then cancelled, resurrected as a North West Metro, cancelled again, and announced once again in Labor’s latest discredited transport plan.
Labor’s latest plan, has the North West Rail Link commencing in 2017 and not opening until 2024, at a cost of $300m per kilometre.[1]
The South West Rail Link has a similar story – announced, then cancelled, and then re-announced. Based on Labor’s current promises, the South West Rail Link will not carry a passenger until 2016.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will:
- - build the South West Rail Link; and
- - build the North West Rail Link, starting work in our first term.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals believe the priority for new public transport links should be areas currently without such options.
Many long suffering commuters in Sydney’s north west and south west have no effective public transport alternative, and are forced to use cars.
It is estimated that under NSW Labor’s regime, commuters who travel daily to the city from the north west will have spent $65,000 in road tolls over 14 years before they have any public transport alternative.
Our commitment to building these essential links will help restore investor confidence in NSW, and improve choices and quality of life for NSW residents and commuters.
[1] ABC News, (2010), “Rail delay costs $2 billion”, ABS News Online, 25 February 2010, retrieved 19 March 2010 at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/25/2829766.htm
NW Commuters Up For $65,000 In Tolls Waiting For Labor's Rail Link
Drivers in the North West could pay at least $65,000 in tolls, while motorists in the South West face toll charges up to $18,000 before Labor finally delivers rail links promised in Labor’s transport election scam – and that's before they are hit by Kristina Keneally’s new $30 car rego tax, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for Roads Andrew Stoner revealed today.
“Under Labor’s latest transport election scam, the North West Rail Link doesn't start till 2017 and won't be finished until 2024, while the South West Rail Link isn't due for completion until 2016,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Build better public transport and roads
Renovate the infrastructure that makes a difference to both our economy and people’s lives
The first priority of the NSW Liberals & Nationals is growing our economy, because it is the means by which revenues are generated to deliver better services, tax cuts, build more infrastructure, create more jobs and offer people choices.
Renovating our infrastructure is central to achieving this objective, because the right infrastructure drives economic growth.
