In the lead-up to the state election, the Mercury is asking all candidates in the Illawarra electorates of Heathcote, Keira, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama to respond to a new question each day about an issue of significance. In the third of our questions, we asked candidates: what will your party do to improve Illawarra roads and public transport?
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■ Noreen Hay, Labor MP
I believe roads and public transport services are critical to Wollongong and the Illawarra. We have a huge commuter population that uses both public transport and travel on the road each day. That is why I am committed to see the extension of the F6 and the overhaul of the South Coast rail line, which effects commuters right across the Illawarra, including the increase of carriages at peak times. Labor will review the South Coast rail timetable following the Liberals' changes that saw service cuts to our local train stations. Labor has a fully-funded infrastructure plan that includes a dedicated Illawarra Infrastructure Investment Fund that will hold the region's fairer share of the proceeds from the Liberals' sale of our port. A Labor government will invest in local infrastructure without the need to privatise the electricity network. Labor will match the commitment to invest $100 million in upgrading the Princes Highway. Labor will allocate $15 million to upgrade and improve Appin Road, which is one of the worst in the area. I've announced that Labor will reserve $25 million for the urgently needed lift upgrade of Unanderra train station. I have been pleased to help deliver the Wollongong train station free commuter car park, which saw 250 extra spots available to commuters, and a free Gong shuttle.
■ Cameron Walters, Liberal
The Mike Baird Liberal team is planning to widen the M1 at Figtree to Dapto Infrastructure Development and last week committed $550 million to the Albion Park Rail Bypass. We have also delivered a $2.3 million rehabilitation of sections of Shellharbour Road between Warrawong and Windang and upgrades to the intersection of Princes Highway and The Avenue, Figtree, at a cost of $9.3 million. One issue that is consistently raised with me is the need to make the Unanderra train station more accessible for families and people with disability. If elected, I will continue to advocate and fight for better access to public transport for all residents of Wollongong. This is an important issue for me. That is why I believe that having a local, Liberal voice representing the people of Wollongong will keep Wollongong and NSW working, as opposed to the years of being taken for granted by Labor.
■ Arthur Rorris, Independent
Wollongong is barely 80km from Sydney. For a train to take 1½ hours to travel this distance, longer than what it did 30 years ago, tells us that we are going backwards and our politicians must accept some of this responsibility. My priority is disentangling the commuter line by diverting freight to an alternate - the Maldon Dombarton. Second, a replacement or duplication for the ageing Stanwell Park section needs planning now, not when problems arise in the future, leaving the region disconnected by rail. Third, the regional transport system in Wollongong should be better co-ordinated to meet the diverse needs of the community. The free City bus is popular and effective. The growth of the night economy, particularly in the CBD, needs a new plan which involves the venues, Wollongong Council and the taxi industry. I am pleased to say I have commenced working on this already.
■ Mitchell Bresser, Greens
The ALP and Liberals are obsessed with road construction. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted on tarmac, while our train and bus services remain underfunded. The Greens don't want to force commuters into cars. The Greens will redirect $4.5 billion away from private toll roads towards public transport solutions. The Greens have committed $231 million to expand the transport access, so that stations like Unanderra will be accessible to everyone. If elected I will make sure that this station is fixed. I want a reduction in coal trucks on Illawarra roads as they slow down traffic and damage roads. We need upgrades to Illawarra freight train services.
I want a free shuttle bus in the southern suburbs. Warrawong and Berkeley are cut off from public transport. A shuttle between Port Kembla, Warrawong, Berkeley, Cringila, and Unanderra, linking communities and train stations, will help businesses and community members.
■ Dr Clarrie Pratt, Christian Democratic Party
The Christian Democratic Party, Fred Nile and I call on the government to assess and understand the pressures of the cost of living faced by both pensioners and some self-funded retirees.
Any rise in the cost of basic needs, including transport, is detrimental to a pensioner's everyday quality of life. Every dollar counts for pensioners who are living just above the poverty line and it is evident that many pensioners are deeply concerned about any proposed cuts to their transport benefits by the NSW government. Concession cuts directed at our most vulnerable citizens, who have already been facing financial strain, is not part of our Aussie values. The Christian Democratic Party has supported and defended pensioners' rights and traditional Aussie rights and values for 34 years. The government must listen to citizens' concerns. Our party will continue to voice the concerns of the vulnerable in Parliament.
■ Phil Latz, Australian Cyclists Party
The Australian Cyclists Party wants to see more investment in cycling paths, including shared cycling and walking paths. Our existing Wollongong public transport of buses and trains are both far more effective when combined with safer walking and cycling facilities. This is because more people can easily access the train stations and bus stops, in less time. Surveys for the recently adopted 2014-18 City of Wollongong Bike Plan showed that most Wollongong residents would like to ride more, but are concerned about safety in the traffic. Separated cycling facilities are the safest way of addressing this. If even a small percentage of people who drive choose to ride, then all motorists benefit greatly from less congestion on the roads.
■ No Land Tax Party's Noreen Colonelli did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.
■ Maryanne Stuart, Labor
The seat of Heathcote is a commuter one. Thousands of people from the Heathcote electorate travel up to an hour to work, combining it with school and day care drop-offs and getting to and from Saturday sport. As a mum with two children who has worked in the city, I know how tough this is. One of the biggest issues for locals is the new train timetable, imposed on our community by the Liberals. I've heard many stories of cut services, long connection times and overcrowding.
That's why a Foley Labor government has committed to a review of the South Coast line. We'll do what the Liberals should have done - consult with the community about the timetable.
Roads in Heathcote will also benefit from Labor's $10 billion infrastructure package, which will be delivered without privatising our assets. We will fix 11 traffic pinch points, which will make getting around the shire easier.
■ Lee Evans, Liberal MP
Our record on roads in the Illawarra is a proud one, including the current upgrade of the Picton Road and the completion of the Mt Ousley merging lanes, putting an end to one of the most dangerous black spots in the Illawarra. We have a clear plan to upgrade roads in the Illawarra with $300 million funding for "Gateway to the South" and $11 million allocated in the 2014/15 budget for the nearly completed F6 feasibility study. Public transport in the Illawarra has been enhanced by the guarantee of a free bus in Wollongong, allowing access to the University and city loop. The train timetable has increased peak-hour return services to the city, with a 90 per cent satisfaction rating for Illawarra commuters. With an added 149 more services per week this is a stark contrast from the previous Labor government, who cut 400 services from the network. With the introduction of the Opal card we have seen an increase in patronage using the Illawarra train service, with a state wide take-up of the Opal card now exceeding 2 million commuters. The only way to improve public transport and road infrastructure is to vote for a clear plan of how this will be achieved - vote Liberal.
■ Natasha Watson, Greens
Residents of the Illawarra face the challenge of commuting from suburbs that are geographically restricted on a narrow land strip between the ocean and the escarpment. Regardless of the number of roads, they all reach points where traffic moves into single lanes or at best a two lane highway. For this reason, the number of public transport options needs increasing, increased car parking at railway stations, more shuttle services connecting to the stations and a reworked timetable for Illawarra commuting workers and students.
Many residents also face steep inclines to railway stations via long narrow twisting roads, with no connecting buses late in the evening. When I hear that many of the commuters parking at Waterfall railway station have driven all the way from Dapto or even Kiama, we know that key transport and connection needs are not being met. Such improvements would be a priority for the Greens.
■ Greg Petty, Independent
We have been ignored for major capital works projects and funding. Successive governments of both colours have directed funding to major projects to non Wollongong and Illawarra areas. Funding in Kiama is welcome but to change the geographic area of the Illawarra to justify the funding is political games at its worst. The fact remains, the balance of the region has sadly missed out. And will continue to miss out unless we elect independents for the region. Important transport issues are the Maldon to Dombarton rail link, covered rail wagons, better rail timetables addressing travel times and the most importantly the F6 extension.
■ No Land Tax Party's Ahmed Elawaad and CDP's Ula Falanga did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.
■ Ryan Park, Labor MP
Good roads and public transport services are critical to a region like the Illawarra, given the fact that so many people commute each and every day into Sydney and other areas. Labor has set aside $15 million to upgrade and improve Appin Road, one of the most notorious stretches of road in NSW and one that is used by around 10,000 people each and every day. Labor has also allocated $600 million to improve congestion across NSW and this will include blackspots in the Illawarra. If elected we will continue the planning work for the extension of the F6. I am also determined to ensure the final extension of Memorial Drive gets the funding it needs to properly service the community in the northern suburbs. We all know that the current train timetable has been a disaster. Over 7000 people have signed my petition, called or written to me requesting the government address the problems. Stations like Woonona and Austinmer have modern commuter car parks that are now empty. I have secured a commitment that if elected the South Coast timetable would be overhauled, with a focus on reducing the parking congestion at Thirroul and increasing the number of carriages on busy morning and afternoon services. We have also committed to making our trains safer through the re-introduction on Guardian services, where police patrol dedicated late night services on the South Coast line.
■ Philip Clifford, Liberal
Only the Mike Baird Liberal team has a strong plan for the Illawarra and a track record of delivery for Keira. Last year the $4.6 million safety upgrade at the intersection of the M1 Princes Motorway and Picton Road was completed - another example of the commitment the Mike Baird Liberal team has to the region. The Mike Baird Liberal team are currently planning for a new heavy vehicle facility at the top of Mount Ousley on the M1 northbound and planning the proposed upgrade to the M1 Princes Motorway, between Picton Road and Bulli Tops. Last month, I convened a meeting with the Minister for the Illawarra and the Thirroul neighbourhood forum transport committee to explore better train timetables and parking for commuters - something that the Labor member has failed to do. As part of the Mike Baird Liberal team, I will be a strong voice for Keira.
■ Elena Martinez, Greens
The present state government plans to spend billions of dollars on roads. It is trying to convince the public that building more roads will ease traffic congestion. On the contrary, it has been shown that building more roads means that more people drive, leading to traffic congestion again. The Greens will redirect $4.5 billion away from private toll roads towards public transport solutions. Investing money in public transport will ease congestion on the roads, as fewer people will drive. This will also reduce noise pollution, air pollution and stress levels. Locally we will invest in rail infrastructure, like signalling upgrades, with the aim of reducing the train trip between Wollongong and Central to one hour. We will rewrite the South Coast train timetable so that it works. We will shift more freight onto rail, so our roads are not dangerous and degraded. Where roads divide communities, public transport connects them.
■ Joseph Carolan, CDP
The Christian Democratic Party views infrastructure issues from the perspective of families and small businesses. We support the improvement and increased availability of affordable public transport in our region as this will help make Wollongong an even more liveable city. Provision of a safe cycleway network and additional free bus loops are two popular ideas that I personally support. The CDP supports any improvement of the train service to Sydney, as well as policies which create more local jobs in small to medium business.
■ No Land Tax Party's Jason Leto did not respond by the Mercury's deadline
■ Anna Watson, Labor MP
I've announced $46 million towards the construction of three new exit ramps at Kanahooka, Fowlers and Emerson Roads at Dapto along the M1 Motorway. These three new road projects, funded from Labor's $380 million Illawarra Infrastructure and Investment Fund, will mean better traffic access to Dapto and West Dapto, while funnelling traffic out of Dapto CBD. This builds on the $40 million commitments provided by the former state Labor and federal Labor governments to help implement Wollongong City Council's West Dapto Access Strategy. I'll fight, regardless of which major party wins on Saturday, to kick-start the Albion Park Rail Bypass - without the need to sell off our electricity network. The Liberals have made a hollow promise, with a $50 million blackhole - $350 million of which is entirely dependent on the sale of the electricity network. I'll work to have the Dapto station commuter car park upgraded, and permanent toilet facilities and pedestrian access built at Shellharbour Junction station - completely overlooked by the Liberals.
■ Peter Moran, Greens
The wider Illawarra region needs a quicker train service to Sydney. Not a very fast train, just a faster train. This requires an upgrade to the tracks and reworking of the timetable to prioritise Illawarra commuters by eliminating some Sydney stops.
The Dapto shopping strip does it tough when competing with Stocklands. Local business owners employing local people and paying rent to local landlords would be strengthened if local traffic congestion issues were addressed.
The Greens would provide southbound on-ramps to the freeway in Dapto, and an alternative to the Bong Bong Rd level crossing, which clogs up traffic regularly.
Dapto will soon have a population of over 50,000. The Greens would ensure there are options to allow the people of Horsley and West Dapto access to their work, shopping and transport choices, by providing shuttle buses and a new station at Penrose.
We support the Albion Park Rail bypass.
■ Wayne Quinn, Independent
Our entire transport infrastructure has been neglected for many years. Both major parties will talk of a new railway station near Dunmore, which has not really improved train times, or a proposed bypass between Yallah and Albion Park. Also, let's not forget the incomplete Maldon Dombarton Railway line. This goes on and on. All talk and no action. Residential suburbs have sprung up where there appears to be little or no thought of placing appropriate transport infrastructure to meet expected needs. Now there is going to be another huge residential boom between Horsley and Albion Park. Once again without appropriate infrastructure being constructed before the residential suburb explosion occurs.
The cart always seems to be placed before the horse. No wonder our transport infrastructure is in such a mess. Lets just get on with it and improve our railway lines, thus reducing times and construct roads to meet the needs of new suburbs before they occur.
■ Romeo Cecchele, Independent
The Labor and Liberal parties have been an absolute disgrace with not spending money on our ailing infrastructure in the Illawarra for two decades now. It is time that this extreme level of incompetence from both major parties is stopped and the Illawarra allowed to join the rest of the state in getting its fair share of funds from our taxes, rates and GST revenue. Not just Kiama being a Liberal seat. I have long been requesting the M1 freeway from Yallah to Bulli Tops be expanded to six lanes to allow peak traffic to move, which now bottlenecks through Dapto. I have also been promoting the extension of the M1 to St Peters in the north and to Nowra in the south and having the missing south-facing ramps installed at Kanahooka and Fowlers Roads. Alas the Labor and Liberal parties sit on their hands when it comes to action.
I have been asking for a dual train line to be built from Unanderra to Kiama, which would cut back the traffic chaos in the Dapto CBD by 50 per cent in peak times and every time the boom gates are down on Bong Bong Road. I have been advocating for a tunnel to be built from Coalcliff to Helensburgh, which would shorten the journey time to Sydney and make working in Sydney more attractive to the 30 per cent unemployed of Dapto. Also the Stanwell Tops 110-year-old brick bridge needs urgent replacement.
■ Mark Jones, Liberal
Last week the Premier announced that if elected, the Mike Baird Liberal team will commence construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass and allocate $550 million to the project, as a result of our 49 per cent lease of the "poles and wires".
Residents keep telling me that this long-awaited project will give them more time to spend with their families and less time stuck in traffic - creating more jobs in the region and improving productivity. This is part of Mike Baird and my plan to keep Shellharbour and NSW working. We have also rolled out the Opal card network, something that Labor could never do during their 16 years in government. If elected, I'll continue to ensure that vital infrastructure upgrades such as these are delivered to the people of Shellharbour.
■ No Land Tax Party's Hugo Morvillo and CDP's John Kadwell did not respond by the Mercury's deadline
■ Gareth Ward, Liberal MP
Since 2011, I have secured $785 million to upgrade and maintain our Princes Highway - a 65 per cent increase on Labor's spend. Since being elected, I have delivered $580 million for the Berry bypass; $329 million on the Princes Highway upgrade in Gerringong; $72 million for the South Nowra upgrade; $11 million on planning for the F6 extension; $10 million on planning for the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade; $3 million to upgrade Bolong Road in Coolangatta; $2.1 million on planning work for the Albion Park Rail bypass; and $1 million for the Nowra Bridge project. People only need look at Labor's 16 years of "talk" versus the real action people can now see on the Princes Highway - 100 per cent funded by the Baird government. There are five candidates contesting the Kiama electorate on Saturday, only one of us has commitment to fully fund and start the Albion Park Rail bypass.
■ Glenn Kolomeitz, Labor
I'm delighted with the near completion of the Princes Highway upgrade at Gerringong, and the commencement of the Berry bypass, both planned and designed by Labor. The planning of major road and infrastructure projects like these span the life of several governments. If Labor is elected, of course we will continue work on all these projects, including at Albion Park. And we'll do this without selling our electricity assets. The Liberals' infrastructure funding promises, including the Albion Park bypass, rely on the sale of our electricity assets. No sale, no roads or infrastructure. The Liberals have failed on public transport. Their Opal card doesn't work on Illawarra buses and isn't sold at railway stations. Gareth Ward petitioned his own government for new train carriages, but only got them on one train per day. Labor will make considered, sensible changes to public transport, ensuring they meet the needs of our growing population.
■ Terry Barratt, Greens
The region is poorly served by public transport. And yet low-cost access to schools, TAFE, the Shoalhaven university campus and employment centres, is critical for gaining and retaining suitable work opportunities. Transport services to support young people are particularly limited in the region. The Greens' transport vision for the Kiama electorate will expand and improve public transport services and create new jobs in transport.
The Greens support: electrification of the rail line from Kiama to Bomaderry; improved integration of the rail-bus system and more frequent local services; and construction of a rail crossing for the Shoalhaven River. We also support a bypass for Albion Park, but not to the detriment of viable farmland and increased risk of flooding on the Macquarie Rivulet flood plain. To pay for these initiatives the Greens will divert funds from big road projects in Sydney to local roads and public transport.
■ No Land Tax Party's Carmel Pellegrini and CDP's Steve Ryan did not respond by the Mercury's deadline