Barry O'Farrell marks his two-year anniversary as Premier this month and still has a lot of work ahead of him. Picture: Nic Gibson Source: The Daily Telegraph
SYDNEY'S road congestion will not be fixed until at least 2019, Premier Barry O'Farrell has admitted.
But he has flagged increasing the state government's $1.8 billion contribution to the planned WestConnex motorway, which combines the old M4 East and M5 duplication.
And in reassuring words for western Sydney, he believes building the M4 link between Strathfield and Taverners Hill would be the easiest first stage of the project.
Next Tuesday, Mr O'Farrell marks two years in office - the official halfway point to the next election in 2015.
But in an exclusive anniversary interview, he said Sydney's traffic woes would only improve by the end of a second four-year term of government.
"I used to say in opposition it would take more than a term to fix things in the state, it would take two terms, so I would hope that if we get a second term that the improvements will be noticeable at the end of our second term and that fits with the opening of certain road projects," he said.
"We're aiming to fix congestion by improving both road and rail networks. Will it be fixed overnight? No.
"As I said, South West Rail due to be complete 2016, North West Rail Link, commitment was tunnel-boring machines in the ground by 2015. WestConnex we'll work out when the report comes back in as to what the timing on that is, but if we can do it in stages ... get the stages open, that's got to be a benefit."
Mr O'Farrell said he would consider seeking a mandate for the $30 billion sale of the electricity poles and wires, which could help pay for the WestConnex, North West Rail Link and a second Harbour rail crossing, at the next election.But in an extraordinary admission, the Premier - often criticised for governing by review - admits that had Justice Brian Tamberlin recommended in his 2011 report that the poles and wires should be sold, he probably would have done it.
"Our commitment at the last election ... was a commission of inquiry. The commission of inquiry did not recommend the sale of poles and wires. (If it had recommended otherwise) We'd be having a different discussion. There will be no change in the policy without a mandate."
Business leaders want him to begin a debate about the sale of the poles and wires now, following the sale of ports, electricity generators and the desalination plant.
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia chief Brendan Lyon said : "It's time in the next 12 months or so we begin to talk openly and honestly about what's needed to reform the transmission and distribution sector and restore the state's budget. Sydney's gridlocked ... the public are demanding answers ... people want to see Sydney unclogged."
Mr O'Farrell said the North West Rail Link and WestConnex were receiving equal priority, with the $8.5 billion rail link to receive $3.3 billion in the next four years and WestConnex $1.8 billion from the state and $1.5 billion from Tony Abbott, if he is elected federally. Work was also being done to see if more public money was required for the WestConnex and this was "possible".
Amid speculation the M5 duplication may be built first and the M4 East later because it was too politically difficult, the Premier said this would not be the case.
"It is the easiest part of the project, the M4 East ... absolutely. The thing about the M5, whether you like it or not, whether it was built too small or not, it is there. What's missing is that extension of the M4 that will not only get you close to the city but also link up with other employment regions, as well as the airport."
Mr O'Farrell admitted losing the state's AAA credit rating was a concern, saying: "The AAA and the economy remains one of the biggest challenges we have".
He said the government had "faced the Himalayas" on the economic front. "We no sooner get up one mountain and the next one appears."
He described his government as "workmanlike".
"We're stable, responsible, workmanlike government in a state that hasn't seen that in a long time," he said. "I think our greatest achievement is trying to get some confidence back in the budget process."
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