More Watson Whoppers On Albion Park Rail Bypass

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP today said that it was bad enough that Anna Watson and Labor voted against funding the Albion Park Rail bypass but today Ms Watson has once again been caught out on a project she voted against building.

This morning when asked specifically about the Albion Park Rail bypass plan developed by RMS, Ms Watson told ABC Illawarra that:

“….This missing link of this bypass design does not allow for the Yallah interchange”.

Mr Ward has moved a Notice of Motion in the Assembly condemning the Member for Shellharbour for once again misleading our community on major infrastructure.

“Once again Ms Watson either shows a profound lack of understanding of the plan or has deliberately misled the community,” Mr Ward said.

“The Albion Park Rail Bypass plan, including the environmental assessment, includes provisions for a future Yallah interchange. It’s not missing, we’ve provided for it in the plan. 

“The RMS has recommended not proceeding with the Yallah interchange at this time based on current traffic volumes.

“The RMS has advised that traffic on what will become the old Princes Highway will be reduced by 65%. Dapto residents will have the same access as they do today.

“Given this advice, I’ll be joining with the Member for South Coast in arguing for upgrades further south that will save lives.

“This is yet another example of why you just can’t trust Labor to deliver major infrastructure. When they don’t know what they’re talking about – they just make it up.

“Since being elected, Shelley Hancock and I have delivered the Gerringong upgrade, the Berry bypass, the South Nowra upgrade, the Burrill Lake Bridge and the Termeil Creek upgrade. Labor have committed to building none of these projects.

“In fact, Anna Watson and Labor want to cancel major roads projects like the F6 – so how could you trust them with one interchange!” Mr Ward concluded.

A copy of Mr Ward’s Notice of Motion below:

Today I give Notice that tomorrow I shall move that this House:

1. Condemns the Member for Shellharbour for misleading ABC Illawarra on 20 November 2018 where she said the Albion Park Rail Bypass plan doesn’t provide for the Yallah interchange;
2. Notes that the Albion Park Rail Bypass plan, including the environmental approval, does provide for a future Yallah interchange;
3. Notes that the Member for Shellharbour either doesn’t understand the plan or has deliberately misled her community;
4. Notes that NSW Labor including the Member for Shellharbour voted against funding the Albion Park Rail Bypass; and
5. Notes that in NSW Labor’s 10 year NSW Infrastructure plan in 2015 didn’t mention the Albion Park Rail Bypass once.