A parliamentary inquiry has confirmed what truckies have known for months – the controversial $3.9 billion Rozelle Interchange in Sydney was not built in their “best interests”.
In a critical report handed down this week on the “spaghetti junction”, a NSW parliamentary committee was scathing in its findings, saying there was a “concerning lack of clarity and transparency” around contractual arrangements between the NSW government and Transurban over the interchange’s delivery.
“It was built to maximise the sale value of WestConnex, which meant that decisions were not made in the community’s interest,” said Cate Faehrmann, chair of the committee.
“We therefore recommend that the NSW government reject any further privatisation of the state’s roads as well as any new major road-based infrastructure projects that are not in the public interest.”
The committee made 17 recommendations in all, that also proposed a review of consultation practices and policies for projects of this type to ensure “meaningful and genuine consultation” moving forward.
The inquiry also asked that the NSW government immediately look toward additional public transport options, including bus and ferry services, and more traffic lights and crossings to prevent rat running and improve traffic congestion.
Premier Chris Minns said the government did not intend to privatise toll roads in the future.
“During the design phase, you’re taking into consideration all intended and unintended consequences [and] that clearly didn’t happen in Rozelle,” Minns said.
“We’re determined – when we pursue major changes – that the public are aware of how it will affect their community …and we also take into consideration whether there’s better ways of providing this infrastructure for these communities.”
An official response to the recommendations from the government is due by October 15.