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 No more excuses: extend F6 now 

No more excuses: extend F6 now

25 May, 2008 04:35 PM
The NRMA is demanding cashed up State and Federal governments combine their resources and finally complete the F6 extension into Sydney.

The motoring and services body has turned up the heat as the State Government works towards an electricity privatisation plan it says will net $15 billion for infrastructure.

Armed with that money, as well as part of the Federal Government's $21.7 billion budget surplus, the NRMA says the State Government would no longer have excuses as to why the much-needed link could not be built.

NRMA deputy president and southern area director Michael Tynan said the case for the extension from Loftus to St Peters was overwhelming: economic, environmental, safety and tourism benefits as well as the fact commuting workers could spend more time with their families.

The extension would mean motorists, who now travel through congested roads in southern Sydney, could reduce their fuel consumption for that part of the journey.

NRMA plans for the road also include a bus lane to cut down on car usage.

"With the recently announced record federal budget surplus our community has never been in a better position to build this critical road," Mr Tynan said. "This road needs to be built - if we delay it further it will become more expensive."

The Mercury understands Keira MP David Campbell and Heathcote MP Paul McLeay have made a strong case for the extension inside the party room but have met opposition from the likes of Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal, who prefers other projects.

Despite the F6 being identified for future transport use in crucial State Government planning documents - the Metropolitan Strategy and State Infrastructure Strategy, the latter which maps out targets leading to 2016 - Mr Roozendaal says there are no plans for road development along the corridor.

"The NSW Government's position regarding the F6 transport corridor remains unchanged," the minister's spokeswoman said.

"The Iemma government is committed to working co-operatively with the Rudd government to improve the road network across NSW."

Mr Campbell saw "potential" for money from the sale of electricity retail companies to be put towards the extension, but said he didn't want to "create expectations".

Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said the Government had been "toing and froing" for years on the issue.

"The fact the Iemma Labor government has publicly said it has no current plans for an F6 extension highlights the true incompetence of Morris Iemma," he said.

Cunningham Labor MP Sharon Bird said she appreciated the benefits the F6 extension would bring, but believed other infrastructure projects such as the Maldon-Dombarton rail link and Picton Rd would also have cases for funding under the new Infrastructure Australia program, when it becomes available from January.

The Federal Government has promised this program will make it easier for regional roads and state roads to receive Federal funding.

Mr Tynan says the pressure is on it to act too.

More on this story in Saturday's Mercury

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