It seems 2016 is not the first time the absence of a bridge along the Nepean River has been a concern.
On Tuesday, Member for Londonderry Prue Car and Shadow Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Jodi McKay asked why there is still no progress on the proposed Green Bridge.
They called on the State Government and in particular, Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres, to detail when construction will commence on the bridge.
“We have seen announcement after announcement but still no construction has begun,” Ms Car said.
It goes back to 2010, when Mr Ayres announced to improve pedestrian access across the river by fixing Victoria Bridge.
By 2013, the Government made a new commitment to build a separate foot bridge across the river, with construction to start in late 2014.
In December 2014, geotechnical investigations to determine the $24 million bridge’s alignment had only just begun.
Tenders for the construction were only just short listed by July 2015, the relocation of overhead power lines was to start late 2015, and building was expected to start in early 2016.
Now it’s early 2016, the powerlines have not moved and the Opposition wants to know what’s going on.
“We have no idea what’s happening and we have no idea how much the total project will cost. The more we wait, surely the more the cost blows out,” Ms Car said.
Ms McKay said as a minister Mr Ayres is understandably busy, but he has taken his eye off the ball on local projects.
“While he has been fighting with the Premier over stadium construction and travelling overseas, he’s forgotten about key projects in his electorate,” she said.
“If the Member for Penrith won’t stand up for his community then we will.”
Mr Ayres said the final bridge tenders are currently being reviewed and once completed further announcements will be made.
