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Increased Funding But NSW Budget A Lost Opportunity


Increased Funding But NSW Budget A Lost Opportunity

Author: NRMA Motoring & ServicesDate: 16 June 2009

An extra $400 million for NSW roads is welcome news however the Budget has not provided any major new roads projects for NSW.

The $4.4 billion Roads Budget will help maintain important projects like the upgrade of the Pacific Highway, however there is no new major road announcements. It is also unclear how much of the $4.4 billion is money already provided by the Australian Government.

The $400 million increase in roads represents a real increase of eight per cent on last year (inflation forecast at 2 per cent), including Australian Government funds.

$170 million for 7,000 commuter parking spaces at train facilities will encourage more people to use public transport and help ease congestion.

NRMA Motoring & Services President Wendy Machin said while motorists would welcome the $4.4 billion road investment this Budget was a lost opportunity to tackle some of the State's priority road projects.

"The NSW Government had a real opportunity to embark on some of the state's big road projects but it appears we have missed out," Ms Machin said.

"Governments around the world have tackled the challenges presented by the global financial crisis by investing heavily in infrastructure projects that will create jobs and boost the economy today and deliver long-term infrastructure benefits for future generations.

"The Budget was a chance to at least get started on the M4 East, F6 Extension or F3 to M2.

"At the very least the Government could have committed to getting these projects 'shovel ready' so that the public could see there is a plan to get the job done."

Ms Machin said local councils who could afford to apply for an interest free loan from the Government's new Local Infrastructure Fund should do so.

"Offering interest free loans to cash-strapped councils may not be the solution to fixing local roads, however if councils can afford to go into further debt to make their roads safer than the NRMA encourages them to apply for the loans," Ms Machin said.

NRMA Director Dawn Fraser welcomed the Government's $51.9 million investment in NSW tourism and the abolition of stamp duty on the registration of caravans and camper trailers.

"As one of the state's largest providers of travel and accommodation services the NRMA is pleased the Government has provided a much-needed boost to the state's tourism industry," Ms Fraser said.

"Campaigns to encourage people to holiday in NSW and easing taxes on caravans and trailers will ultimately benefit local communities that rely so heavily on tourism support."

Contact: Peter Khoury 0439 133 115

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