Committee for Sydney urges government to fast-track transport projects
Sydney’s major transport projects hold the key to our economic recovery, with experts calling on the state government to fast-track key infrastructure.
NSW
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MAJOR transport projects worth almost $55 billion must be fast-tracked to resuscitate the economy and get people back into work.
The state government is being urged to take advantage of the city’s empty streets by pushing ahead with infrastructure projects that will ensure the state doesn’t become an economic basket case.
The thinktank Committee For Sydney said accelerating the Western Sydney Airport and St Marys connection ($20b), Sydney West Metro ($25b) and the Liverpool FAST Corridor, including a trackless tram (about $500m), would have the added benefit of unlocking development around new stations.
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Little-known projects like the estimated $2b cycle network for the entire city, which is touted to take 30 years, could also be done within three years and offer a way to people to commute with physical distancing.
Committee for Sydney CEO Gabriel Metcalf said while the government is investing a lot in transport, “now is the time to go further and faster”.
“This is a time to borrow money to accelerate infrastructure,” Mr Metcalf said.
“One of the reasons that infrastructure is such a good way to fight unemployment is that it actually leaves you better off at the end — better to put people to work doing things that will result in tangible long-term improvements to the state rather than having them stay home.”
The Committee For Sydney also urged the government to press on with the development of the new $1.5b Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta, which sources say is in danger of being delayed.
In recent weeks Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have announced they will fast-track DAs and invest $70 million for community infrastructure in the fast-growing northwest Sydney.
The government is also bringing forward $500m in maintenance and shovel-ready capital works.
Developer lobby the Urban Taskforce has also given the government 70 pending projects that would provide jobs and much-needed economic activity.
“Coming into this pandemic, infrastructure and construction of public works were a key driver of economic growth, contributing to around 0.5 of a per cent to gross state product,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The sector will continue to be an important employer and generator of growth in NSW and I expect it to be just as important leading us through to the other side of this pandemic.
“Our government is committed to a strong infrastructure pipeline to support jobs and economic growth going forward.”