The transport and health policies of the four parties seeking to win seats across the SHOROC region, the Liberal/Nationals Coalition, Labor, Greens and Christian Democrats, were outlined today by SHOROC, a partnership of Manly, Mosman, Pittwater & Warringah councils.
“Our four councils have all adopted SHOROC’s Shaping Our Future strategy, outlining what we consider are the major priorities for investment in our region’s transport and health infrastructure,” said SHOROC President and Pittwater Mayor Harvey Rose.
“We have asked the parties vying to win seats at the 26 March state election to outline their priorities on these issues so it’s clear to the voters where they stand,” said Mayor Rose, “whichever party wins the NSW election, it is vital that funding be urgently invested in our ailing infrastructure.”
The key priorities identified in Shaping Our Future include:
- Buses: Bus Rapid Transit systems for faster public transport from Mona Vale to the city and from Dee Why to Chatswood, Ryde and the CBD.
- Roads: Unclogging pinch points and upgrades to Mona Vale Road, Wakehurst Parkway and the Warringah Road intersections with Wakehurst Parkway and Forrest Way.
- Hospitals: Immediate construction of the Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest and retaining and upgrading Mona Vale Hospital.
The full strategy and list of priorities can be read online and is available for download.
Should they win the election, SHOROC has been advised the priorities of the parties are as follows:
Transport
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| Liberal/Nationals Coalition |
- Will urgently seek expressions of interest to determine the feasibility and timing and establish a Northern Beaches Bus Rapid Transit (NBBRT) system.
- Will construct infrastructure associated with the Level 5 Hospital at Frenchs Forest such as transport/road links
|
| Labor |
- Will implement 3 strategic bus corridors across the region
- 1000 new buses allocated across greater Sydney
- Maintain public ownership and control of Sydney Ferries and upgrade Sydney Ferry Fleet with 6 new ferries
|
| Greens |
- Improve public transport by providing linkages within the northern beaches and to the CBD. Initially establish improved transport on a Bus Rapid Transit system built with a future view of converting to light rail.
- Establish a safe cycling network throughout the Northern Beaches and ensure that buses are equipped to carry cycles
|
| Christian Democrats |
- Build freeways and immediately improve major intersections to remove traffic lights and increase the free flow of traffic. Immediately upgrade Mona Vale Rd to dual carriageway at a minimum. Build a Sydney-wide network of interconnecting freeways. Not Toll Roads.
- Build a rail link to the city and Chatswood. Not a combination of bus tunnels and light rail, but a proper rail line serving the Northern Beaches. Don’t just build for the needs of today but build for 50-100 years into the future.
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Health
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| Liberal/Nationals Coalition |
- $125 million to start construction on the Level 5 Hospital at Frenchs Forest, with construction to commence in the first term and be completed in the second term, regardless of who is in government. Construction will incorporate associated infrastructure such as transport/road links. Full services at Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals will be retained during construction.
- Mona Vale Hospital will serve in a complementary role once the new hospital is built and the Manly Hospital site will be retained for community use, such as aged care or mental health
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| Labor |
- Commence a new 200 bed Northern Beaches Hospital by 2013/4
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| Greens |
- Abandon Frenchs Forest as a hospital site and upgrade Mona Vale to provide all required specialist services.
- Retain local hospital services at the southern end of the peninsula
- Improve mental health services including community facilities and improve aged care facilities.
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| Christian Democrats |
- Rebuild both Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals, doubling the size and capacity and re-instituting support services that have had funding stripped from them. Instead of the new hospital at Frenchs Forest.
- Improve mental health and public health services and facilities in the local community.
- Improve access to nursing homes, geriatric services and Ambulances.
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**Please note the above policies were provided to SHOROC in writing by the parties. Comments from some individual candidates have been added below. Please contact SHOROC to correct any of the statements listed if required.
If you’ve got a comment on these policies feel free to add it below.
