Another Premier Another Transport Plan

 When business people assess the location for their enterprise, one of the factors which determine their decision is location. Consideration of location is done from several angles, an important one being transportation infrastructure leading into and out of potential locations. No business wants their salespeople wasting time in gridlocked traffic instead of being in front of customers or processing orders in the office. No business wants to lose potential employees because getting to and from work is a hassle.

 Yes the vital aspect of transport infrastructure is Parramatta's Achilles' heel and a constant source of concern for our business community.

 Sydney suburbs are experiencing the state's largest population growth are among the worst for public transport and employment infrastructure. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures have previously quoted Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Parramatta and Liverpool local government areas growing by nearly 16,000 people in the 12 months to June last year, accounting for about 20 per cent of the population growth in NSW.

 We are more than disappointed that the recent news scrapping the Metro and providing a plan for the North West that will not see a whole dug in 4 years. This echo's the lack of confidence the business community has in the ability of Government to deliver critical infrastructure. The danger is, with government debt rising to unprecedented levels, the necessary transport infrastructure will continue to be placed on the back burner.

 The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce has a key role in lobbying the NSW Government over this issue and businesses in our region can rest assured that we will not be slackening off in our representations to government.

 I welcome the feedback or opinions from businesses in our region and ask that you contact the Chamber on 9683 6655 to have your say.