Treasurer Scott Morrison Delivers 2017 Federal Budget 11 May 2017 Manly Daily by Robbie Patterson FRENCHS FOREST TO CHATSWOOD METRO LINE GAINS A FEDERAL Budget allocation of $10 billion in the next decade towards rail projects has put the prospect of a metro from Frenchs Forest to Chatswood a step closer. Mackellar Federal Liberal MP Jason Falinski declared he will “fight for our fair share of that investment” after Tuesday’s Budget announcement. “By far the biggest issue facing our community on the Northern Beaches is transport, ”Mr Falinski said. “Be it congestion, the state of our roads, or the need for better public transport. It has come up at every community forum, and mobile office I have held.” Frenchs Forest should a metro line, similar to the northwest rail link. The $10 billion over 10 years is earmarked for a National Passenger Rail Program for urban and regional passenger rail projects. Mr Falinski said he had written to Transport Minister Andrew Constance to urge the State Government to “take full advantage of this opportunity”. “I have asked him to put in an application to start the process of getting a metro between Chatswood and French Forest.” Jason Falinski wants a metro line to Frenchs Forest. Picture: Troy Snook The latest push for a rail option comes after the Northern Beaches Council released its plan for the area surrounding the hospital. It had to reduce the amount of units by more than double after Transport declined to incorporate an east-west bus line. Northern Beaches Hospital construction site at Frenchs Forest. Picture: Troy Snook Mr Falinski championed a metro line as a better solution to the new Frenchs Forest town centre’s transport issues.
“It will reduce travel times, connect people to jobs and opportunities, and provide families and businesses with affordable options on where to live and invest,” he said. “It will also ease the crippling congestion on our road network, and provide the critical East West link.” Warringah Federal Liberal MP Tony Abbott pointed out that the Federal Government had recommitted the $12.5 million promised to fund upgrades to Brookvale Oval. He also highlighted that a $10m promise to help upgrade Royal Far West in Manly had been retained.
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