Jo Haylen MP, the Member for Summer Hill, today called on the Roads Minister to explain yet another cost blowout for the Westconnex Project from an initial $10 billion in 2012 to $16.8 billion.

“The business case reveals what the community has known all along: Westconnex is Duncan Gay’s vanity project and will leave the community far worse off,” said Ms Haylen.

The Business Case, which was released the day after Parliament finished sitting for the year, also reveals previously undisclosed information, including an indicative route with extensive tunneling under the Marrickville LGA.

The Business Case exposes an additional $1.4 billion blowout on top of the $500 million blowout revealed in the June budget.

“The Minister needs to explain the massive blowout in the budget for Westconnex and acknowledge that Western Sydney drivers won’t pay the estimated $80 in tolls per week to use the road,” said Ms Haylen.

“The community will be on the hook for this project for years to come - $16.8 billion in tax-payer money and then every time they use the road.

“The fact the Business Case was released after Parliament finished sitting shows the Minister knows it doesn’t add up and wants to shield it from proper scrutiny,” Ms Haylen said. 

“This is just another chapter in the Government’s long story of secrecy and trickery when it comes to Westconnex,” said Ms Haylen.