Fletcher welcomes F3-M2 Missing Link proposal moving to next stage

‘I welcome today’s announcement that the NSW government will proceed to the next stage of assessing Transurban’s proposal to build the F3-M2 Missing Link,’ Member for Bradfield PF said today.

‘This is an outstanding example of cooperation between the NSW Coalition Government, the federal Coalition parties, and the private sector, and follows a recent commitment by federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott that an Abbott Coalition Government would contribute $400 million towards this project.

‘The NSW government today announced that building the project is expected to cost up to $2.65 billion. It will be funded by the private sector (Transurban and the Westlink M7 shareholders), and a joint contribution from the NSW and federal governments of up to $800 million.

‘In Bradfield, the F3-M2 Missing Link will deliver major benefits. It will greatly reduce heavy vehicle traffic on Pennant Hills Road and the Pacific Highway. The reduction in traffic will improve the quality of life for residents of suburbs along these roads, such as Normanhurst, Thornleigh and Wahroonga.

‘I have been campaigning for this road to be built for some time. Last year I joined with other federal and state Liberal parliamentarians and candidates to form the Missing Link Action Network to fight for the prioritisation of the F3-M2 Link.

‘I want to see the F3-M2 Missing Link built to deliver benefits to the communities I represent – and I want to ensure that if this proposal from Transurban proceeds, its design addresses the proper and reasonable concerns of nearby residents’, Mr Fletcher said.

Key design principles for the F3-M2 Missing Link have been identified in work done over the last decade. The 2004 Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) study identified air quality, alternative transport options and noise impacts as the areas the community wanted to be scrutinised.

SKM found the project capable of delivering positive benefits in each area, including reduced noise for 94% of residents and air quality improvements.

‘The next stage now involves community consultation, exhibiting an environmental impact statement and obtaining planning approval,’ Mr Fletcher said. ‘I will be watching carefully to ensure that community concerns are properly reflected in this process.’