2015-12-03
Congestion will reign on Melbourne roads if Turnbull splurges on Western Distributor toll road
With Victorian Labor steamrolling ahead on yet another toll road, the Greens have urged the Turnbull government to address Victoria’s transport imbalance by committing to public transport instead.
“The Western Distributor is another secretive toll road that’s been dreamt up by Transurban, the very corporation set to cash in on it,” said the Australian Greens spokesperson for transport and infrastructure Senator Janet Rice.
“We have a choice: more tollways for Melbourne or investment in the trains, trams and buses that will unclog our choked city.
“With Victorian Labor abandoning its promises of better public transport, Turnbull must show real leadership and not bow to the pressures of the road lobby too.
“After all its talk about public transport, this week’s Ministerial Statement on Infrastructure showed 15 road projects on the Turnbull government’s books compared to just one passenger rail project.
“Turnbull must address our infrastructure imbalance by committing funds to Melbourne Metro Rail before another polluting toll road like the Western Distributor.
“People in Melbourne’s west haven’t had a say in this massive toll road that’s been foisted on them by Transurban and by a premier who is outsourcing Victoria’s transport planning to private interests.
“Without a public business case or even a final route, Victoria cannot afford another toll road disaster like the East West Link.
“The solution to unclogging Melbourne’s west is to invest in freight on to rail, cost-effective truck ramps off the West Gate Freeway and better public transport, not building massive, expensive toll roads.”
Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the Victorian government must give the community some answers.
“The government needs to come clean on the exact route, whether the off-ramps over Stoney Creek will stay and whether trucks will be allowed on local streets,” said Ms Hartland.
“The assumptions within the business case need to be made public, including a straight answer about whether the Port rail connection will go ahead.”
Media contact for Senator Rice: Sam Drummond 0400 352 935