Chamber challenges Liberal promise

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has questioned the realism of the Liberal Party election promise to upgrade Woy Woy Rd and to provide a rail underpass.

While welcoming the project, the Chamber has challenged the cost and timeframe proposed by the Opposition.

"The Chamber has received expert advice that the cost of the two kilometre project is more likely to be $60 million to $90 million rather than the quoted $30 million," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"Further, we are told by the NSW Opposition that the project should be completed by 2014-2015 which would appear rather ambitious considering the design challenges, property acquisition issues, National Parks and Wildlife approvals and tendering processes needed.

"To the best of our knowledge, Council has not resolved to adopt any one particular option, although the preferred route was through the Brisbane Water National Park, down through the old Nicols Quarry and under the railway line to link up with Railway St," said Mr Wales.

"While the Chamber welcomes any allocation of monies towards Woy Woy Rd, the logistics and funding should be carefully considered lest we find ourselves in a situation where the works have been grossly underestimated and the timing unachievable.

"Nobody likes cost blow outs.

"Taxpayers should feel confident that these projects are fully costed and have realistic time frames," he said.

He said the Chamber was also concerned that commitments are being made when the preferred options have not yet been fully adopted by Gosford Council.

"The Woy Woy Rd-Bulls Hill bypass has been off the books for nearly eight years.

"A lot of circumstances have changed since the original concepts were presented to Council," said Mr Wales.

"A lot of work needs to be done with the community to ensure that the best possible outcome is agreed while mitigating costs," he said.

Media release, 17 Mar 2011 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce