Sue Doran, Mehreen Faruqi and De Brierley-Newton, Greens candidates for Coogee, Heffron and Sydney welcome the light rail transport concept plan to link the inner west with the eastern suburbs of Sydney released by Eco transit and the Australian Conservation Foundation (SMH 15/12/2010) as a contribution to a critically important transport infrastructure debate for the future of Sydney.
The state Labor government is considering many huge development proposals and concept plans for Sydney's east without any clearly resolved transport plan for our booming natural population increases let alone the proposed new residents AND workers.
The Eco Transit/ACF transport plan released on the eve of Christmas shows up the glaring incompetence of the state government for leaving a vacuum in transport planning, and the desparation of community groups in the face of this planning incompetence. And where is the Liberal vision for mass transport in inner Sydney?
The Greens candidates all said, "The absence of proper planning for transport forces community groups to do the leg work. Typically, the state government does not have a proper transport plan with routes and funding identified. The Liberals will likely be in government in the new year, yet they demonstrate no alternative vision in this area."
"Where is the long term, sustainable plan for public transport in Sydneys east from either the Liberals or Labor? Effective transport planning relies on data and expertise that government should provide. Community contributions are a useful beginning, but the major parties must make their intentions clear in the lead up to the state election", stressed each of the Greens candidates.
Sue Doran says, "Part 3A proposals at Randwick Racecourse and the Inglis stables rezoning application currently on the minister's desk should not be determined until transport planning issues have been fully resolved."
"We welcome a light rail service connecting the inner west and the airport via Randwick Racecourse, UNSW and the Prince of Wales, Women's and Children's hospitals although the link to Coogee is less feasible now that much of the old tram corridor has been lost."
Dr Faruqi adds, "Although Green Square has been earmarked for massive development in the future, there is no commitment for integrated sustainable transport options for the community living here."
Ms Brierley-Newton said, "We need to redirect State funding to an affordable, integrated public transport system and better-planned cycle paths to reduce traffic, cut CO2 emissions and create cities where people want to live. We need the light rail to run all the way down from Central to Circular Quay to Barangaroo, with heavy rail and buses connecting our suburbs and a fast rail system connecting our capital cities."
The Greens candidates all argued that "Transport has been coming a poor last in the planning process. Transport infrastructure should have been agreed with all stakeholders, built to meet existing demand and with capacity to accommodate additional workers and a growing population early in any urban consolidation process. Why has the community been continually asked to consider more development expansion in this densely populated area when the current population is under-serviced by public transport?"
CONTACT: Sue Doran 0417-370-776
Greens candidate for Coogee
coogee@nsw.greens.org.au
http://www.facebook.com/coogeegreens
Twitter @coogeesue