Geelong commuters were entitled to know the financial facts about the State Government’s proposed Western Distributor, according to Western Victoria Region MP Simon Ramsay.
Mr Ramsay called on the government to reveal the project’s financial data after its business case was recently redacted.
Mr Ramsay said commuters between Geelong and Melbourne were fed up with Westgate Bridge gridlock and had a right to know all of the available information on the Western Distributor.
“I wonder, is it because the data shows projections of $30 billion revenue to Transurban for an extended 12 years of tolls on their CityLink roads?” Mr Ramsay said.
“It’s not hard to question the State Government’s intentions because they are clearly trying to hide the facts.
“I’ve now written to the Premier seeking an explanation over the secrecy, as it turns out that six of the 21 appendices attached to the business case have not been released.”
Mr Ramsay said the government needed to consider the needs of commuters before Transurban shareholders.
“We’re not in the business to fatten up the Transurban shareholders’ wallets and commit another 12 years of tolls on Victorian motorists,” he said.
“The recent anniversary of Mr Andrews’ tearing up $1.1 billion to not build the East-West Link has reminded us that this poor man’s alternative is wasting far more than its budgeted $5.5 billion, half of which is the Victorian taxpayer’s money.
“Geelong commuters deserve better – they deserve a proper west link connection with a fast rail to Melbourne instead of a hopeless rail service and a congested western road connection to our major city.
“Both these transport links are severely affecting the productivity of the City of Geelong and its residents.”
Roads minister Luke Donnellan said the Western Distributor would deliver a second river crossing, immediate travel time savings of up to 20 minutes a day from Geelong or a one hour and forty minutes a week.
“For the first time Geelong commuters will have a choice of how to reach the CBD,” Mr Donnellan said.
“They can use express lanes on the West Gate Freeway to access the West Gate Bridge or use the West Gate Freeway and the Distributor, which as well as connecting to the city and the surrounding road network with connections to CityLink, Dynon Road and an extended Wurundjeri Way.
“The Western Distributor will provide a much needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge, create 5600 jobs and deliver an $11 billion dollar boost to Victoria’s economy.”
