Central Coast to Sydney Commuter Services
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Minister for Transport Services, and Minister for the Hunter a question without notice. Is the Minister aware that the Central Coast rail link that was to provide a very high-speed train service has been cancelled? What action is the Government taking to increase commuter services between the Central Coast and Sydney? Is the Government considering other ancillary services, such as a very fast ferry service, to address the service demand of an even greater number of people commuting from the Central Coast to Sydney? What action is the Government taking to encourage private enterprise to develop services such as the Gosford ferry service?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: This is a very good question, and one that I am happy to answer. I think it was the Treasurer who, before the last election, made it clear what the Government’s position was on the high-speed rail link. Clearly, that was a decision for the Treasurer, and it is on the public record.
The Hon. Patricia Forsythe: What is it?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: That decision was on the front page of the papers. I am sure the Treasurer could provide the honourable member with a copy of it.
The Hon. Michael Egan: Doesn’t the Hon. Patricia Forsythe read the papers?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: Opposition members only read the paper just before question time, to help them ask some questions. At least this question is not based on an article in this morning’s Sydney Morning Herald. I thank the honourable member for at least putting some time into his question, in contrast with what Opposition members do. The Government is working on plans to improve the capacity of our rail services across the board, including for the Central Coast and the northern line, because they are critically important areas. I use the service and I travel down the F3 motorway, so I recognise the importance of the service. The strategy we are looking at is based on rail clearways or sectorisation. The fundamental strategy is to disentangle the Sydney metropolitan rail system to not only improve reliability but also to create more train paths, which will enable us to increase capacity. The experts tell me that with strategic investment, there is scope—
[Interruption]
I do not know who the Hon. Charlie Lynn turns to for advice, but I turn to experts. Obviously, he turns to those sitting on either side of him, and that is why his advice and contributions are so mediocre. I will continue to use experts because they are the best people from whom to get information. We must increase the capacity of the rail system. Sectorisation is part of that strategy. A number of projects relate specifically to the Central Coast line. Investment may not be precisely on the Central Coast, it may be further down the line in the northern suburbs of Sydney to create the required capacity to enable us to run additional services. We are working on a new timetable, which will improve the capacity and reliability of services to the Central Coast.
Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: What about ferry services?
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: I am not directly responsible for ferry services; they are probably matters for State Development. I am advised by the Treasurer that there is a private sector proposal with regard to ferry services. It is not one that has come to me directly, but it is an important component. We must consider not only rail but also the interaction between road and rail. The Parry report is part of the process. But the good news is that we are endeavouring to improve rail services and public transport services through the establishment of sectors and the introduction of rail clearways.
