National Party representatives from across the region have condemned the lack of commitment to the Bells Line Expressway project in this week’s federal Budget announcements.
In a joint statement yesterday Shadow Roads Minister Duncan Gay, Duty MLC for the Bathurst Electorate Rick Colless and the Member for Orange, Russell Turner, slated the Government for its failure to provide funding for the Bells Line Expressway.
Mr Gay said residents of the Central West should be deeply disappointed with Kevin Rudd’s failure to fund any work on the Bells Line Expressway and it was clear example of Labor’s neglect of regional and rural NSW.
“Prior to last year’s Federal Election, the Howard Government pledged $20 million to kick start planning for the Bells Line Expressway,” Mr Gay said.
“Sadly, the new Federal Labor Government has ignored the people of the Central West in failing to provide any funding in their recent Budget.
“The Bells Line Expressway would have not only been a boon for the economic development of communities in the Central West, but would also have been a major step in improving road safety for those travelling across the Mountains,” he said.
Mr Colless said he, like residents across the Bathurst Electorate, was frustrated by the government’s piecemeal offerings for transport in the Central West.
“So far Kevin Rudd has completely ignored the Bells Line of Road, offering only a small amount towards the Great Western Highway, as well as a pathetic $1 million study into the transport needs of the Central West, but this is not what’s required,” Mr Colless said.
“It shouldn’t take a $1 million study to determine what everyone in the Central West already knows — the region desperately needs a Bells Line Expressway.
“It is a disgrace the government has not seen fit to invest in this transport link.”
Mr Turner said Labor’s failure to invest in the project demonstrated their neglect of communities in the Orange Electorate.
“Federal Labor’s failure to fund the Bells Line is disappointing, and echoes the continued failure of the State Labor Government to invest in this crucial road link,” Mr Turner said.
“This road would increase business activity and visitor numbers to communities throughout the Central West.
“Obviously the Rudd government like their state colleagues are not interested in promoting the growth of the Orange Electorate.”