PM Transcripts

STATEMENT FOR WERRIWA PRESS: AU) S 1! AlI A_
PRIME MINISTER
1974 BUDGET LIVERPOOL RAIL PROJECTS
The Australian Government will providca two-thirds
of the $ 21.5 million cost of constructing a new double
track railway between East Hills and Glenfield. This
will duplicate the existing Riverwood-East Hills section,
and when completed, the new rail link will -provide greatly
improved services to Sydney for travellers from the
rapidly developing areas south of Liverpool.
" This is an example of the greatly increased
emphasis the Australian Government places on improving
the long-neglected urban areas of Australia, such as
Liverpool," the Prime Minister and Member for Werriwa,
Mr. Gough Whitlam, said today. Ile was
commenting on Budget allocations to urban public transport.
He pointed out that express services from Campbelltown
to Central using this route could save up to 17 minutes in
travelling time. Other services would also benefit because
delays on the Liverpool/ Central route would be avoided.
In addition, the new line should help, to ease traffic
congestion in the Liverpool area, since it would reduce
pressure and dependence on road transport.
Mr. Whitlam said that the new railway should be
seen as part of the Australian Government's practical commitment
to improving the quality of life in the cities.
" Combined with our other urban initiatives, such as
acquiring land for homes,. developing new growth centres like
the Holsworthy/ Campbelltown/ Camden/ Appin area, and overcoming
the backlog in sewerage programs, it represents a major
breakthrough for our cities and the people who must live
in them," Mr. Whitlam said.
19 September 1974