With the Harbour Tunnel becoming cashless today, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is calling on Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal to explain what action he will take to ensure people’s privacy is protected from a potential Big Brother exploitation of the data trail left behind as people travel around Sydney’s various cashless toll roads.

“The Harbour Tunnel, Cross City Tunnel, Westlink M7, the Lane Cove Tunnel are now cashless, and soon the M2, with no provision for anonymous use,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Plans for a public transport ’smart card’ for Sydney will leave another data trail. (more…)

With the south east region identified as one of the State’s worst for road kill, Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro, Keith Hughes is marking Wildlife Awareness Week by calling on motorists to take extra care.

Mr Hughes said that most victims are kangaroos making up more than 80 percent of accidents, followed by wombats according to data from an insurance company. (more…)

With the gazetted approval for B-doubles on the Pacific Highway due to expire on 1 August this year, it’s time for an objective evaluation of the relative safety in allowing B-doubles to travel the very busy and not yet upgraded Pacific Highway, according to Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Five years ago the government approved B-double traffic on the Pacific Highway. In the interests of public safety, it’s now time to review this,” he said. (more…)

Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal has been challenged by NSW Greens MP and Prisons Spokesperson, Sylvia Hale, to produce the evidence to back up his claim that sending people to prison for traffic offences has been effective in improving road safety.

“In the light of the figures released yesterday by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research that raise doubts about the effectiveness of prison terms for traffic fine defaulters the Minister’s claim is not good enough. Where is the evidence?” (more…)

(councillor column for the May 16 edition of the Bungendore Bulletin)
So Palerang is now a nuclear-free zone. Very exciting, and a positive, albeit small step towards peace and a nuclear-free future. Thanks to those councillors who spoke so strongly in favour of the motion, which appeared in the last Bulletin.

Warning: the following contains material that may be considered political. (more…)

Responding to today’s announcement that the state government has agreed to buy back the state’s regional rail freight  network from Pacific National, Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik said:

“This is a good move, but long overdue, and the government is paying more for the lease now than if they had done so earlier. In 2002, the commercial value of the lease was estimated at about $80 million. Pacific National had virtual monopoly control over the rural tracks and many important projects were not implemented. (more…)

(letter to Braidwood Times)

Irene Murtagh raises some important issues in her letter about the remaining unsealed portion of Nerriga Rd (BT, March 14), acknowledging that the problem lies not just in the road but also in the driving habits of some of those who use it. I am not sure that it is true to say that the Council has no plans for sealing it, but if it seems like that, I believe this has more to do with lack of funds than lack of interest. Having said that however, I also know that there has been some suggestion that if the route of Main Road 92 goes to Braidwood instead of Oallen, then the road will be sealed anyway, and the more cynical amongst us might perhaps suggest that this is what is dampening enthusiasm… (more…)

Opposition Leader Peter Debnam’s pledge of $1.2 billion for roads projects offers little vision for NSW’s transport future, according to Greens Upper House candidate John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “Peter Debnam squandered a golden opportunity to announce another rail crossing of Sydney Harbour. On the back of Wednesday night’s rail gridlock, the Coalition could have offered voters the vision of massive improvements in rail reliability and reduced travel times.

“Instead the Opposition is using the last Sunday in the election campaign to talk about pouring yet more money into increasing road capacity. (more…)

Speaking at the launch of the Greens bicycle strategy today, Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon called on the government to amend planning laws to require bicycle facilities in all new developments and abolish public transport fares on bikes.

“Labor does not even have a bike policy. The State Plan’s sole cycling commitment is to promote cycleways in national parks and State Forests.

“Labor’s ‘draft’ State Plan included a commitment to promote commuter cycling but this failed to make it into the final document. (more…)

(250 words for March 13 edition of Queanbeyan Chronicle)

1. Roads and transport – What can be done to get the trucks off Monaro Street and how soon can it be done?

2. Health – What is needed in Queanbeyan to ensure everyone has access to the best medical care available? (more…)