PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES

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  4. 21 June 2005

Infrastructure Projects

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About this Item
SubjectsInfrastructure; Planning and Development
SpeakersTsang The Hon Henry
BusinessAdjournment, Motion


    INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Page: 17073


    The Hon. HENRY TSANG (Parliamentary Secretary) [12.37 a.m.]: I was pleased to hear the Premier announce the range of infrastructure spending in the State at the last Australian Labor Party [ALP] conference, which took place last weekend at the Town Hall. Members who have attended an ALP conference would know just how much of a grand event it can be. This one did not disappoint—for all the good reasons. The Premier announced a range of significant infrastructure projects and human services. The new infrastructure spending will cover the portfolio areas of energy, water, health and motor vehicle accident victims. The Premier announced that the four-year infrastructure plan would cost $35 billion—or the biggest investment in public works spending in our history. In transport alone, the Government will invest a whopping $8 billion in what is the biggest rail expansion project in the last 75 years in New South Wales.

    The new project includes the construction of a new line in Sydney's south-west by 2012, to run from Glenfield to Leppington; a new underground city line to run to the North Shore, with a tunnel running under the Sydney Harbour; a north-west line by 2017; and extension to Bringelly in the south-west and Vineyard in the north-west by 2020. The people of New South Wales will welcome this announcement. Public transport investment is much needed and the new line will relieve the congested city corridor and offer commuters greater choice and access to various parts of the city.

    In education, the Government has succeeded in reducing the average kindergarten class to below 20 students—down from 24 in 1997. The average kindergarten class in New South Wales is now 19.7 students. As the Premier said, this is a milestone for the Government in its $583 million class size reduction program. The advantages of smaller classes for students of that age are significant, as students receive more one-on-one attention from their teachers. It makes learning easier with students at an impressionable age. With this grounding, students are better equipped to tackle the more difficult later years of schooling. We should note that smaller classes are better for teachers also—less stressful and more rewarding. Our literacy rates challenge those of Scandinavian countries. This level of education is essential in preparing students and young people for life in our modern technological age. It will help strengthen our economy—which has retained its triple-A rating—the highest possible credit rating.

    With a strong economy, the Government can expand its measure to tackle the problems of drought and water conservation, as well as our rising energy needs. By the end of the decade, the amount of recycled water used in Sydney would have quadrupled, to around 70 billion litres per year. The metropolitan strategy is a comprehensive strategy that will secure Sydney's water supply. The Premier announced that 16 new schemes had been identified to increase the amount of water recycled each year by up to 20 billion litres. These are only a few of the projects that the Premier reported to delegates at the annual conference. They spelt a long-term plan for New South Wales—a plan to benefit the people with sound economic management and a vision for the State. I congratulate the Premier on the Government's bold plan for New South Wales and look forward to seeing him deliver the goods over the next few years.

    Motion agreed to.
    The House adjourned at 12.41 a.m. Wednesday 22 June 2005 until 10.00 a.m. on the same day.
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