Freeway campaign draws call for local jobs

Member for Robertson, Mr Jim Lloyd, has called on the State Government to provide adequate road and rail links with Sydney before it proceeds "with its crazy proposal to force another 100,000 people onto the Central Coast".

He said this as he launched a petition aimed at securing funding from State and Federal Governments to widen the F3 freeway.

However, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has reacted to the move by calling for more jobs and investment opportunities to be created on the Coast "so people don't have to go to Sydney to find work in the first place".

Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales said: "The Chamber supports any funds that will improve the efficiency of the F3.

"Widening will go some way to relieving congestion.

"However, we need to look beyond the widening issue to how we can improve job and investment opportunities on the Central Coast."

Mr Lloyd said he launched his "Widen the F3" campaign because "like all Central Coast motorists, I am becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of action on the F3 from both the Federal and State Governments.

"I am now calling on all Central Coast residents to get behind the campaign by signing a petition which will be circulated widely throughout the Coast over the next three months," Mr Lloyd said.

"I hope to be able to present 100,000 signatures to Parliament on the first sitting day of 2001 in an effort to convince the Federal Government to immediately allocate funds to begin the widening at Mount White," Mr Lloyd said.

"It is my understanding that the RTA has finally completed the long awaited proposals and costing for widening the F3 and that they will be presented to the Federal Minister John Anderson for consideration shortly.

Given the recent comments from the Prime Minister that more money will be spent on roads, now is the time for a major effort to ensure the F3 is not bypassed once again"

Mr Lloyd concluded by saying copies of the petition were now available at his electorate office and he urged every concerned motorist to support the petition

"Together, I’m sure we can force the Government to act," Mr Lloyd said.

November 15