Bennelong by-election: Malcolm Turnbull promises Macquarie Park bus interchange
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a bus interchange will be built outside Macquarie University station in a joint federal and state deal timed to win by-election votes.
Northern District Times
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PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a bus interchange will be built outside Macquarie University station in a joint federal and state deal timed to win by-election votes.
Mr Turnbull and Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $100 million investment ($80 million federal, $20 million state) would allow commuters to transfer more easily between trains, buses and taxis.
“This will be a game-changer in reducing congestion here,” Mr Turnbull said at Macquarie Park on Tuesday.
The location is already busy with commuters travelling to work in the business park, as well as the Macquarie Centre shops and university.
The project would likely provide an underpass outside the station on Herring Rd, which general traffic would use.
This would give buses priority at ground level, and allow them to enter and leave the area more easily.
Ms Berejiklian said the bus interchange would better serve commuters arriving more frequently once the Sydney Metro line opened in 2019.
Ryde Council has lobbied the State Government for the interchange. Transport Minister Andrew Constance previously ruled the project too expensive.
Mr Turnbull was joined by Liberal candidate for Bennelong John Alexander, who he praised ahead of the by-election on December 16.
Labor said it would also build the interchange if it wins government.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said candidate Kristina Keneally’s campaign was already paying dividends to Bennelong voters.
“I say to the voters of Bennelong, if this is what Kristina Keneally can do with a week into the campaign, why not make her your regular member for Bennelong,” Mr Shorten said.
No time frame was given for the opening of the interchange, as a business case and final design are still to be prepared.
The announcement was criticised by Bennelong Greens candidate Justin Alick.
Mr Alick joined the media conference and asked Mr Turnbull if he was ruining traffic in the area in the same way he ruined the National Broadband Network.
Mr Turnbull ignored the query and continued fielding questions.
Mr Alick later told the Northern District Times he spoke for the commuters who will next year lose access to stations between Epping and Chatswood. The train line will be closed for seven months so it can be upgraded for the Sydney Metro.