Today Chris Minns and Jo Haylen have announced that Labor are “rescuing” Sydney Metro City & Southwest from themselves, reluctantly deciding to complete the Liberals’ and Nationals’ landmark infrastructure project.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Opposition welcomed the Government’s decision at last to honour their election commitment, to accept the visionary benefits of the project for commuters and to put commuters ahead of union demands to cancel the project.
“This Labor Government has made a big song and dance out of honouring an election commitment and delivering an infrastructure project that was planned, funded and underway by the previous government – it shows how unusual it is for Labor to deliver any infrastructure project,” Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward declared today’s announcement a stunt.
“While we welcome today’s confirmation of the Sydney Metro Southwest, there is still a dark cloud hanging over the future of Sydney Metro West, with questions yet to be answered that Labor is considering delaying the project,” Ms Ward said.
“The Government has finally released the Interim Report Summary of their Sydney Metro Independent Review, which the Jo Haylen received on 23 June, which raises the option of delaying Sydney Metro West to complete Sydney Metro City & Southwest[1]:
That the NSW Government should note that the City & Southwest project is likely to require an increase to the total cost envelope of around $1.1 billion. It is likely that this can be at least partly supported from a cashflow perspective within the existing total Sydney Metro capital funding provision of the Forward Estimates but may require deferring some non-contracted Sydney Metro West packages by up to 12 months.
Chris Minns and Jo Haylen must come clean today on their plans for Sydney Metro West – and tell the people of Western Sydney that their project will be delayed – locals in Parramatta through to Drummoyne deserve that at the very least.”
The Opposition acknowledged the disruptions commuters will experience during the 12 month conversion, but refuted Labor’s claims that this was news to locals.
“As far back as 2016 we knew that this project would require months of disruption, with the former government flagging at least 7 months of train replacements[2],” Mr Speakman said.
Mr Speakman also warned that Labor looked poise to introduce new taxes, in addition to delaying the Sydney Metro West to fund the completion Metro City & Southwest.
“The Government has today said that the additional funds required to complete this project will be allocated from existing transport budgets – yet at the same time are flagging new taxes on Western Sydney development,” Mr Speakman said.
“This Government went to the election promising no new taxes, but now the Treasurer is flagging a new tax on development.”
“The Government was very clear before the election – they would deliver Sydney Metro West and Southwest, and no new taxes – Chris Minns must keep his word and honour this commitment.”