Freight increase has serious implications: Page
Shadow Minister for the North Coast and Ballina MP Don Page says the forecast trebling of freight on the Sydney-Brisbane Corridor identified in the Auslink National Transport Strategy has serious policy implications for both State and Federal governments.
Mr Page outlined his views on the policy implications in a personal submission to the Federal and State Governments. In his submission Mr Page made seven key points:
1. The need to accelerate the upgrade of the Newcastle to Queensland border section of the Pacific Highway, with a call for major funding injection by both State and Federal governments at the expiry of the Pacific Highway Agreement in June 2009.
2. The negative impact on the tourism industry caused by poor road conditions between Newcastle and the Queensland border.
3. The need to increase the freight carried by rail and by sea, especially for ‘not time sensitive’ freight.
4. The need to meet key criteria throughout the upgrade process including:
a. Minimising the impact on sensitive coastal ecosystems;
b. Minimising the use of and impact on prime agricultural land;
c. Minimising the impact on population centres and areas anticipating strong population growth;
d. All communities affected negatively by the proposed upgrade to be treated with respect and understanding;
e. The need for legislation which enables those who have suffered ‘injurious affectation’ to be able to be properly compensated in a fair and equitable manner. This is currently not provided for under the Just Terms Land Acquisition Act in NSW.
5. That the population projections contained in the Report of 60,400 by 2031 for the Far North Coast are well below current population increases, and should be reviewed to better reflect the true situation.
6. The need for dedicated inland freight routes that would separate heavy road freight from local coastal traffic.
7. Calling for priority to be given to the section of the Pacific Highway between Maclean and Byron Bay, which has shown the worst casualty figures. The next logical section to be upgraded, being from Ewingsdale to Tintenbar due to a preferred route having been chosen and an EIS in the process of being done.
