HANSARD EXTRACT
| Statements
by Members: Werriwa Electorate: Hume Highway |
| 15 February 2006 |
Mr HAYES
(Werriwa) (9.30 a.m.)—Once
again I am forced to point out the government’s negligence when it
comes to looking after infrastructure in my electorate. Recently the
government announced the commencement of the construction of the new
Hume Highway on- and off-ramps at Ingleburn. Businesses and
residents have been fighting for these access points to be
constructed for some many years, and news of their construction was
very much welcomed. The joy, however, was short lived, as businesses
in the industrial estates of Ingleburn and Minto are now forced to
reach into their own pockets to pay for part of the construction
costs because the government has refused to come to the party.
The ramps will cost a total of $13.8 million,
and the federal government has decided that it will meet only
two-thirds of the cost. Through some twisted logic, the federal
government has decided that Campbelltown City Council should meet
the remaining cost of some $4.5 million. The federal government has
held a gun to the head of the Campbelltown City Council by forcing
the council to meet part of the costs for this critical piece of
infrastructure; otherwise, it would not be built. The council have
decided that local businesses will be charged a special levy in
order to meet the costs. I am not criticising the decision of
council in this regard. Their hands were forced in this matter by a
complete lack of interest by this government in providing and
improving transport infrastructure in the south-west of
Sydney.
It is unfortunate that local businesses are now
going to have to wear part of the costs. Naturally, they are upset
about the additional cost of a special levy, which for some will be
up to $30,000, and the effect it will have on their businesses. The
levy translates roughly to a 16 per cent increase in the rates for
all businesses in the industrial estate. The ramps are an important
part of the development of the infrastructure in the electorate
which will allow it to grow and thrive. There are direct employment
and economic benefits that will flow from the construction of these
ramps. The construction of these ramps will also assist in easing
local traffic congestion. It will also help get some trucks off the
suburban streets, improving the safety of all residents of
Campbelltown.
For these ramps, the federal government has
decided to overturn the long held protocol that infrastructure
around federal highways is funded by the federal government. Local
businesses are now paying the price for this decision. The
businesses that face the levy have every right to be angry about
paying it but they should direct their anger in the right way—at the
Howard government, a government that continues to
ignore the needs of local residents. I call on the government to
overturn this decision and fund in full the Hume Highway access
ramps at Ingleburn.
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