Greens NSW MP and Transport Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has criticised the Federal and State Governments for trying to tie infrastructure and jobs growth with the development of Badgerys Creek Airport. Dr Faruqi is also the Greens NSW Western Sydney Spokesperson.
“The Prime Minister is holding Western Sydney to ransom by saying the area will only receive infrastructure if it accepts a second airport.
“Western Sydney needs real public transport links and infrastructure, such as the Parramatta Light Rail and an expansion of proven heavy rail to catalyse sustainable job growth into the future.
“The idea that Badgerys Creek will create 60,000 jobs is just pure fantasy – the Joint Study on Aviation Capacity in 2012 put jobs growth closer to 10,000 additional jobs by 2040.
“Jobs for Western Sydney will come from investing in public transport, renewable energy, manufacturing and the TAFE sector.
“The whole discussion on infrastructure is almost entirely focused on roads, which is the modus operandi of the Federal and State Governments, who treat public transport as an afterthought”, she concluded.
Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC is a Civil and Environmental engineer and a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Environmental Studies UNSW.
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