The F6 extension has a friend in a very high place – federal treasurer Scott Morrison.
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Though it is unclear whether that will make it easier for the state government to get federal funding.
The path of the proposed extension would cut through Mr Morrison’s southern Sydney electorate of Cook, which is why he has been a backer of the F6 extension for a decade.
In 2008 he wrote a cover letter for an NRMA submission to Infratructure Australia about this “important” project.
I remain a long-time supporter of the F6.
- Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison
“The benefits of the F6 extension have been well-known for some time and earlier this year were highlighted in a report released by the NRMA,” Mr Morrison’s letter read.
“The report indicated that there would be economic benefits arising from the construction of the project that would not be confined to the local region but throughout both NSW and Australia.”
Mr Morrison said his opinion of the F6 extension has not changed since 2008.
“I remain a long-time supporter of the F6,” he said.
“This is an important road project not just for the Sutherland Shire and St George but also to connect Sydney with the Illawarra and the South Coast.
“This takes heavy traffic off local suburban roads and also provides the strong linkage to other parts of the state.”
When it came to the Sutherland stage of the extension, Mr Morrison said he was “fully supportive” of it being a tunnel under the suburb.
He said the state government had not made inquiries for federal funding.
Earlier this month the state government announced it was beginning the planning for the first stage of the F6 extension – a four-kilometre tunnel from Arncliffe to President Avenue, Kogarah.
Mr Morrison was pleased that the extension was now a step closer.
“I look forward to the NSW Government’s outcome from further investigations into the F6 corridor between Kogarah and Loftus next year,” Mr Morrison said.
“This project has been a long time coming, I am confident that my state counterparts will consider all aspects of this project’s impact on residents and the environment.
“I encourage the community to get involved in the consultation process so they can have their say.”
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
