09 October 2007
A new network of motorways is essential if Sydney is to avoid becoming a fractured city according to NSW Urban Taskforce CEO Aaron Gadiel.
But its crucial that the government does not repeat the mistakes made in the north-west and south-west growth centres.
The motorway should be funded by a modest toll, and a substantial government contribution funded by the privatisation of electricity retailers.
It would be a disaster if the government started levying new home developments in established areas to fund this kind of infrastructure, Mr Gadiel.
It was revealed today that State Government officials are working on a $7 billion addition to Sydneys motorway network. The plans include a ˜Gateway proposal with three vital motorway tunnel connections: ¢ linking the M4 at Concord to the City West link at Rozelle; ¢ linking Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Bridge to Rozelle; and ¢ linking the other two new tunnels (from Rozelle) to the Airport.
Sydneys population is expected to grow by 1.1 million people over the next twenty-five years.
The state government is already planning for 7,500 hectares of extra industrial land, 6.8 million square metres of additional commercial floor space and 3.7 million square metres of additional retail space, Mr Gadiel said.
New motorways, as part of a broader integrated transport strategy, are essential if Sydney is to remain one of the worlds best cities.
Without these vital new links, Sydney will become impossible to navigate and become a fractured city.
It will become too difficult for residents of the west to spend time in the east. Communities in the north will be separated even more from those of the south.
The NSW Urban Taskforce is a property development industry group, representing NSWs most prominent and important developers, builders and property financiers. The NSW development industrys annual turnover is $35 billion and employs 180,000 people, accounting for six percent of the States total employment. It is the fifth largest contributor to the State economy.
Media Enquires:
Aaron Gadiel,
Chief Executive Officer,
Phone: 0417 477 904 or (02) 9238 3955
