Re: $4b transport plan to ease petrol hear

[mauried@tpg.com.au (Maurie Daly)]

On Wed, 18 Oct 2000 12:04:22 +1100, David Bromage
<dbromage@fang.omni.com.au> wrote:

>The federal cabinet is considering using up to $4 billion from the sale
>of Sydney Airport to pay for a new national rail and road building
>scheme to try to take the political heat out of rising petrol prices.
>The transport package is also expected to include a decision not to
>build a major second airport in Sydney.
>
>http://www.theage.com.au/news/20001018/A57486-2000Oct17.html
>
>[Speedrail anyone?]


Sounds good but exactly what does it mean?
What is the point of building more roads if we cant afford to drive on
them due to the fuel prices .
On ABC lateline last night it was tipped that if the Middle East
crisis isnt fixed ,the world price of oil will rise above $50 US a
barrel, its currently $32 US.
You can figure out what that means to the $A pump price .
Im also unclear how funding Speedrail is going to pacify
motorists,especially those who dont live in Sydney of the ACT.

What rail in this country needs is not more railway lines ,but to use
the railway lines we currently have in a more efficient manner.
Abolishing Track Access charges would be a good start.

MD