Transport Special
Penny pinch could put squeeze on road projects
By Ashlee Betteridge
Premier Morris Iemma and
Treasurer Michael Costa are seeking
Federal support to deliver on State
Government promises to fix the
inner west’s traffic havoc, according
to reports this month.
While Mr Iemma has pledged
new transport infrastructure in the
form of a metro system for Sydney, a
discussion paper on the M4 East ex-
tension, due in December last year,
has still not been made public.
There is also speculation that Mr
Iemma’s $12 billion metro rail plan,
announced last month, will use a
large part of the State Government’s
transport infrastructure budget.
This may not leave enough in the
State’s coffers for the M4 East exten-
sion, anticipated to cost $8 billion to
complete.
Both the M4 East extension and
the metro, proposed to run under
Victoria Road in Drummoyne, have
been touted as projects that will
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reduce traffic congestion on and
around Victoria and Parramatta
roads, as well as speed up travel
times to the city.
Mr Costa’s spokeswoman,
Heather Gilmore, would not confirm
or deny if the treasurer had asked
for Federal funding for the M4 East
extension.
A spokeswoman for the premier’s
office said the M4 East was still a
government priority, with the dis-
cussion paper on the project to be
released “soon”.
The spokeswoman said the gov-
ernment is compiling a list of infra-
structure priorities for the Federal
Government ’s Infrastructure
Australia review.
“The Federal Government has
asked the State Government to come
up with a list of priority infrastruc-
ture to be considered as part of that,”
the spokeswoman said.
The M4 East extension is expect-
ed to be on the list.
RUNNERS IN DIFFERENT SIZES
FARID PERSIAN RUGS
Premier
Morris Iemma
is looking to
the Federal
Government
to prop up the
State’s ailing
transport
infrastructure.
Photo Melanie
Russell.
The Infrastructure Australia Drummoyne State MP Angela
project will produce a priority list D’Amore said she would welcome
for future Federal spending. The list Federal Government assistance to
will be presented to the Council of ensure the M4 East extension goes
Australian Governments in March ahead.
2009. “I think both projects are fantas-
A spokesman for Anthony tic projects,” she said.
Albanese, Federal Minister for “We are long overdue for a metro
Infrastructure and Transport, said rail system in this city, and the M4
he could not speculate if the M4 East extension will be very worth-
East extension would be part of the while for improving traffic and
infrastructure review. Parramatta Road.”
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