F3 link study is 'con job', says Neal

Labor candidate for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal has labelled the Coalition announcement of a study into the F3-Peninsula road link as a "pre-election con job".

Ms Neal said that the Government had fallen short of committing itself to the construction of a new link between the Peninsula and F3 Freeway by announcing that the Coalition would fund only a study into the possible link.

"Jim Lloyd has been the Federal Minister for Roads for a number of years now and it is only on the eve of an election that he decides this F3-Peninsula link is a good idea but even then he falls short to committing fully to the project," Ms Neal said.

"After 11 long years, the Liberal government's offer to provide $1 million dollars is a con when they know that such a project will cost in excess of $450 million.

"They have no intention of funding the full project and are just trying to trick the Central Coast community with this costly study.

"The reality is that Jim Lloyd and the Howard Government have completed a number of studies into other road projects and to date have failed to commit funding for the construction of these roads just like the so-called missing link between the F3 and M7.

"The people of the Central Coast are sick and tired of study after study and this million dollars could be better used elsewhere.

"This is a clayman's promise with no tangible outcomes for the community.

"Rather than come here to make empty promises to the people of the Central Coast, I challenge Mr Vaile and Mr Lloyd to actually commit funding to some of the important projects that will benefit the community such as closed circuit television and not just studies."

Press release, 8 Oct 2007 Belinda Neal, Labor Candidate for Robertson