Freeway link would clog our roads, says Freewater

Liberal Party plans for a freeway link from Mt White would turn the Peninsula into a major traffic bypass, destroying the peacefulness of the area, according to Greens candidate for Robertson Cr Peter Freewater.

"The Liberal Party's plan is to build an off-ramp at Mt White and construct a highway through the national park to the back of Woy Woy which will provide an easy access for commuters to Empire Bay, Kincumber, Avoca and Terrigal straight through our Peninsula suburbs," he said.

"This has the potential to turn the beautiful and peaceful Woy Woy Peninsula into a major traffic bypass for the northern coastline of Gosford and add further pressure to local roads that are already struggling to cope," Cr Freewater said.

He said it was "inconceivable" to carve up the Brisbane Water National Park for "a pie-in-the-sky freeway extension".

"We should be investigating better solutions to our peak hour congested roads by providing improved Federal funding for the main northern rail line and investing in local industry that will provide jobs on the Central Coast.

"Surely it is better to promote job growth right here in Gosford rather than forcing more traffic onto the Woy Woy Peninsula.

"This proposal will cost up to a billion dollars which would be better spent on improving our existing road infrastructure including the on and off ramps onto the F3 Freeway at Kariong.

"The Brisbane Water National Park is a unique asset that I will not compromise for some spurious freeway link that will simply clog our local roads."

Press release, 30 Jul 2010 Peter Freewater, The Greens