A group of Coalition MP’s today announced the formation of the Missing Link Action Network to fight for the prioritisation of the F3-M2 Link.
The announcement followed a meeting attended by Senator Arthur Sinodinos, Member for Berowra Philip Ruddock, Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher, Member for Bennelong John Alexander, Member for Hornsby Matt Kean, Member for Davidson Jonathan O'Dea, Member for Gosford Chris Holstein and Member for Hawkesbury Ray Williams, at which attendees signalled their support for the project and their commitment to work with the O’Farrell Government, and any future Abbott Government, to deliver the best outcome for the community.
Their views are also supported by Alex Hawke, Member for Mitchell and Dominic Perrottet, Member for Castle Hill.
"The F3-M2 connector is the single most important road connection for the people of the North-West and Central Coast".
"Coalition MPs from across the North West and the Central Coast are united in their support for the F3-M2 Link. The County of Cumberland Plan in 1951 planned a highway link from Sydney to the Central Coast, and 60 years later we still do not have that road", said Mr Kean.
"Unfortunately little progress has been made since Labor came to power federally in 2007. Last year, federal Labor even removed from forward budget estimates of $150 million which had previously been set aside for a feasibility study and initial planning work into the F3-M2 Link", said Senator Sinodinos.
"The most recently published NSW Government estimate of the cost of this new road is $4.75 Billion. A project of this scale is likely to require funding from the NSW and federal governments and would most likely be built in partnership with the private sector", said Mr O’Dea.
"The O’Farrell Government has asked Infrastructure NSW to assess the priority of the next phase of motorway priorities", said Mr Perrottet.
"The F3-M2 Link will complement other investments in the region funded and being delivered by the O’Farrell Government, including the Hills M2 Upgrade, North West Rail Link and the Northern Sydney Freight Line", said Mr Williams.
"As representatives of the local community, today’s meeting was vital to share our knowledge of the project and ensure any community concerns are addressed", said Mr Holstein.
"A study by Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) in 2004, identified air quality, alternative transport options and noise impacts as the areas the community wanted to be scrutinised, and as the representatives of the local community we are committed to doing so", said Mr Alexander.
"SKM found the project is capable of delivering positive benefits in each area, including reduced noise for 94% of residents and air quality improvements by removing stop-start conditions and allowing ventilation of emissions".
"We know the number one issue for the community is congestion, and it will only be solved though an investment in new projects – both road and rail – to support growth", said Mr Fletcher.
"Commuters from the Central Coast and North West as well as the inter-state freight industry know the F3-M2 Link is vital to provide for the rapid growth forecast for the region over the coming decade".
"Congestion on the corridor will only worsen unless action is taken. The North West is forecast to grow by 200,000 people and 90,000 jobs by 2036, with the Hills district will grow by 60,000 people and 15,000 jobs. The F3-M2 Link will be vital to better connecting these regions", said Mr Hawke.
"Pennant Hills Road is consistently one of the slowest, most unsafe and heavily trafficked arterial roads in the State – we must get on with delivering this vital project. Over 10,000 trucks each day are forced onto Pennant Hills Road due to the absence of a motorway-grade link", said Mr Ruddock.
The group called upon federal Labor to restore the $150 million of funding and called upon Infrastructure NSW to recommend that work on the F3-M2 missing link be the highest priority for the NSW government.
