Bega Labor candidate Leanne Atkinson says she is not against the government’s $110 million plan to duplicate Batemans Bay Bridge, but rather the way it is being financed.
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Mr Constance said that half the money would come from the state’s roads program budget and half from the Rebuild NSW funds, to be raised by leasing Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy, the so-called “poles and wires” sale.
“I feel we are being held to ransom,” she said.
“It is like they are saying, ‘if you want this bridge, then you have to support the poles and wires’.
“I don’t dispute there is traffic congestion, and I’m not saying that we don’t need a new bridge, but I am disappointed that a project such as this is attached to the privatisation of poles and wires.
“A project like this should be able to stand alone. The government has said it has underspent on infrastructure, so why not use some of this money for the bridge.
“Also, I would like to know where the community consultation was on how to spend $110 million.”
Ms Atkinson reaffirmed her opposition to the leasing of Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy.
“If Mr Constance spent more time in the area, he’d know that we want to keep our public electricity assets in public hands, because they pay billions in dividends that fund our schools, hospitals, roads - and bridges,” she said.
“I’m deeply concerned because last week the Premier said that ‘there is no Plan B’ when it comes to infrastructure: we must either vote for the Liberals so they can privatise our electricity assets, or we get nothing.
“Either the bridge can be built through the normal process using available funds - begging the question why the Treasurer has waited so long to do something about it - or the Treasurer must come clean that privatisation is nothing more than unnecessary asset-stripping to benefit the big end of town in Sydney.”
Related coverage: Bay bridge: Moruya unsure http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/2919934/business-split-on-bay-bridge-poll/?cs=229