SICK OF THE CONSTANT(CE) EXCUSES ON RAIL

06 July 2017

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP, has demanded the Government publicly release the secret report on South Coast Line rail improvement options, including the cost of a Thirroul tunnel, immediately.

 

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP, has demanded the Government publicly release the secret report on South Coast Line rail improvement options, including the cost of a Thirroul tunnel, immediately.

 

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance MP, told ABC Illawarra yesterday that it was “not possible”, “it’s not feasible this time”, “love to do it, but just can’t” in relation to building a tunnel from Thirroul to Waterfall to cut commuter times by up to 30 minutes.

 

The Minister then told ABC Illawarra the tunnel option had:

 

No proper assessment that’s been done in relation to it.

 

This afternoon he told the Illawarra Mercury the Thirroul tunnel option was “buried on page 30-odd” of the secret report.

 

Documents leaked to the media in recent weeks have revealed the Government has considered various transport options to connect Wollongong to Sydney by road and rail.

 

The Government, according to the leaked documents, appears to favour building a toll road F6 extension over improving rail connections on the South Coast Line.

 

Mr Scully again called on the Minister to nominate the South Coast Line for business case funding consideration under the Federal Government’s National Rail Program.

 

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

 

“I think we’re all getting sick and tired of Andrew Constance’s constant excuses on how it’s impossible to improve the South Coast Line.

 

“The Minister should now do the right thing and publicly release the secret report from his top draw.

 

“If he’s happy to quote from sections of the secret report, he should release it so we can all read it and make own judgements.

 

“We need to have all the options on the table and assessed properly.

 

“Andrew Constance should release the secret report and if he doesn’t, I’ll move the Parliament demand it.”