Minister Firth breaks Cabinet solidarity on Iron Cove Bridge expansion

"The Greens welcome Ms Firth's public opposition to the Iron Cove bridge expansion plan, and we call on the member for Balmain to now be a consistent fighter with the community for the scrapping of this major road upgrade," Ms Rhiannon said.

"It is not enough for the Minister and local member to say that she will make 'representations' to Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal.

"Ms Firth needs to be working closely and consistently with the community fighting these plans and taking their voice into the next meeting of the NSW Cabinet.

"If Ms Firth thinks talking to the Roads Minister is all she has to do to honour the commitment she made to 120 strong community meeting last Sunday she has a poor view of the people she represents.

"Now that the member for Balmain has criticised this major government roads project she should be drawing up her arguments, in consultation with the Victoria Road Community Committee, to put to the next Cabinet meeting, to help ensure that the plan does not go ahead.

"Ms Firth could start by working to reduce the secrecy surrounding the Iron Cove plan so that community members can argue their case on the same footing as the government.

"I hope that Ms Firth calls on the Roads Minister to publicly produce a rigorous cost/benefit analysis of all the available transport options for this area, and the traffic modelling the plan is based on.

"The public deserves to know the real costs of induced traffic and congestion, poor air quality, carbon dioxide emissions, environmental damage and lost open space.

"Ms Firth's public opposition could be critical in stopping this project. But if she does not follow through it will look like another example of a Labor MP telling the community what it wants to hear, but failing to take the fight any further," Ms Rhiannon says.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

[via Lee Rhiannon MLC Media Release Wednesday 28 May 2008 link]