‘Waste of time’: Albanese government accused of ignoring road recommendations

The Albanese Government was warned a year ago that federal road spending had failed to keep up with migration in Sydney’s west. Read the startling figures and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King’s response here.

The Albanese government was warned in April last year that federal roads spending in Sydney’s northwest and southwest had failed to keep up with migration-driven population growth.

The Commonwealth was also told that congestion on the Hume Motorway alone could end up costing the economy more than $142,000 every day by 2036 unless alternative transport corridors are built.

The warnings were contained in the report of a high-powered review panel convened by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King to run the ruler over federal transport spending.

While the Western Sydney Infrastructure Review Panel last year called for the Commonwealth to urgently fund 10 “high priority” roads projects in Western Sydney, Ms King is refusing to say what if any of the upgrades will get funding in this month’s budget.

The “high priority” projects include upgrading Elizabeth Drive in Luddenham to a four-lane road (with provision for six lanes).

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has been accused of ignoring the recommendations of her Western Sydney Transport Infrastructure Review Panel. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The panel called for $15 million to be spent on a business case to upgrade Menangle Road to a four-lane divided carriageway, and for another $15 million in planning funding to deliver Spring Farm Parkway Stage 2 in Menangle Park.

The panel also called for Cambridge Ave in Glenfield to be duplicated and connected to the Hume Motorway.

In the northwest, widening of Richmond Road in Marsden Park was found to be a “high priority,” as were upgrades to The Northern Road in Londonderry.

“Rapid population growth in the northwest and Hawkesbury Nepean Valley has exceeded projections, with transport investment failing to keep pace with growth,” the panel said. High growth areas in the southwest have experienced the same problems, it found.

“There are several roads in this area which will constrain development and negatively affect liveability and productivity.”

The Hume Motorway was singled out as “one of Sydney’s most congested roads,” with congestion costing the economy more than $71,000 per day.

“Without further investment in alternative roads, congestion will worsen, with the cost of congestion on this corridor estimated to more than double by 2036,” the panel found.

One member of the panel, who asked not to be named, said all nine participants were “frustrated” with the fact that Ms King is yet to act on their recommendations.

“Everyone on the committee felt that we just wasted our time,” they said.

Cambridge Ave in Glenfield is one “high priority” road which should be upgraded, the review panel said. Picture: Tim Hunter

Cambridge Ave is one of 10 “high priority” projects the Albanese government was told to upgrade. Picture: Tim Hunter

Opposition Infrastructure spokeswoman Bridget McKenzie accused Ms King of ignoring the findings of the panel she commissioned.

“The Minister needs to come out to western Sydney and see for herself the impact of her decisions on the Western Sydney community,” she said.

Businessman Dick Smith said the recommendations were further evidence that Australia’s population is growing too quickly.

Glenfield Lions FC President Bellal Jaber said traffic has increased “at least 40 per cent” on Cambridge Ave. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Last year we had a net immigration rate of over 500,000 and it’s simply not possible for infrastructure spending to keep up with that kind of growth,” he said.

Ms King refused to say whether the government would fund any of the projects recommended by the infrastructure panel in this month’s budget.

Ms King said she would have “more to say” at budget time. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“We will have more to say at budget time,” she said.

Glenfield Lions Football Club President Bellal Jaber said Cambridge Ave urgently needs upgrading to improve safety and to accommodate population growth.

He said in the 20 years since he has lived in the area, traffic has increased “at least 40 per cent”.

“With all the infrastructure going up and people going out west its getting far busier.”

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The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology then edited and approved for publication by an editor.