11 May 2011
The government says that it will “defer” its contribution to a feasibility study into the F3 to Sydney Orbital (M7/M2) project “until 2015-16”. The 2015/16 financial year is not in the forward estimates period. This strips out $150 million that was expected to be spent in 2013/14.
This effectively puts this major motorway project on ice (as far as the Commonwealth is concerned).
The project would be part of the national highway network (and therefore Commonwealth funding is essential) and was identified by the new NSW Government as a “missing link” motorway that might be supported by the O’Farrell Government in its first term.
The Labor Party had promised to progress this motorway project in a 2007 election commitment.
This decision is very disappointing.
The axing of this project is a blow to anyone who drives on Pennant Hills Road regularly, and dashes hopes that we might see some better connectivity between Sydney and the Central Coast and Lower Hunter.
