Conservation groups today appealed the Premier to intervene in the battle over the future of the last koala colony in the South East Forests in a remote area near Bega.

“Our people inspected the remote area on Monday and found that contrary to statements from the Minister for the Environment, State Forest bulldozers were already at work on the road network that will be needed to allow access for the Eden woodchip mill’s huge log trucks,” said spokespersons for the groups.

“State Forests is deliberately pushing the community closer to direct confrontation in the forests even while protracted negotiations on the fate of the koalas are under way with the Department of the Environment.” (more…)

NSW Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon says Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese will only succeed in transforming Sydney into a more liveable city if he directs Infrastructure Australia to shift its funding preference from road construction to public transport and rail freight infrastructure.

“The key to liveable cities is public transport. Anthony Albanese must allocate funding from Infrastructure Australia to large scale public transport projects, reversing the current preoccupation with roads,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“It’s time for a funding switch from the current situation where the Federal government is allocating $28 billion to road projects over six years, while rail gets a mere $7.9 billion. (more…)

Commenting on the clause in the M2 motorway contract that could result in compensation being paid to operator, Transurban, Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the northwest rail line is an essential piece of infrastructure that should be fast tracked not held up because of a poor decision by the Coalition when they were in government.

“The former Coalition government in the early 1990s should never have agreed to the clause in the M2 contract that allows the motorway operators to claim compensation if their profits are impacted by a nearby public transport project,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“If the NSW government has to pay compensation because of a poor motorway decision by a previous Coalition government that should not be used as a reason to prevent construction of the northwest rail project. (more…)

In the aftermath of the far south coast accident involving a petrol tanker that killed three people Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier Kristina Kenneally to reinstate the subsidy for bulk fuel transported by rail.

“I extend sympathy on behalf of the Greens to the families of those killed in this tragedy,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The lessons from this horrific accident need to be acted upon to prevent more deaths and injuries. (more…)

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has described the $812 million so-called ‘South Road Superway’ jointly announced today by PM Kevin Rudd and Premier Mike Rann as a hyper-expensive LA-style freeway.

“This is California dreaming,” he said. “Spending almost a billion dollars on an ugly, elevated LA-style freeway is an irresponsible use of taxpayers’ money.

“How does this ‘out of the blue’ project, which is totally out of place in Adelaide’s suburbs, fit into a long term transport plan for South Australia? Where is the Government’s plan to shift freight from road to rail? (more…)

Matters arising, planning delegation agenda item, Development Applications, questions and statements

And on tonight’s agenda we have (seriously!):

9.4 – 3 lot concessional sub-division, Callans Lane
9.5 – 4 lot concessional sub-division, Mongarlowe
9.6 – 5 lot concessional sub-division, Charleys Forest Rd
9.7 – 6 lot sub-division, Krawarree
9.8 – 8 lot concessional sub-division, Manar Mulloon
9.9 – 5 lot concessional sub-division Jinglemoney
9.10 – 5 lot concessional sub-division, Budawang
9.11 – 4 lot concessional sub-division, Roberts Rd
9.12 – 4 lot concessional sub-division, Palerang (more…)