Charles, who has been actively advocating for the construction of the M4 East has welcomed the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's announcement of $1.5 billion for the construction of the M4 East should the Liberal Party win the next Federal election.
"This announcement represents a turning point in the quality of life of 100,000's of Inner West residents. Currently, traffic congestion on arterial roads spills onto local streets (rat running); whilst noise and emissions from congested traffic is affecting our home life. Travel for recreational, shopping and sporting activities over the weekends has also become a nightmare" Charles said.
"The M4 East is not just a road; it is a critical part of the transport network that will contribute both directly and indirectly to all public transport working more efficiently. For example, less traffic on our local roads means buses run more reliably and less costly, making local travel more attractive as well as making rail more accessible" Charles said.
"The M4 East is a much needed initiative to complement the substantial work that the State Government has commenced to improve public transport" Charles said.
Charles also noted the importance that this announcement will have on the future of Parramatta Road.
"The recent attention on residential and mixed use development along Parramatta Road that could not proceed without an M4 East can now be looked at seriously and some surety around planning is now possible" Charles said.
"These developments along the transport corridor will be attractive because it will reduce the amount (in some cases removes the need) for development in low density residential areas of our electorate" Charles said.
"In my opinion immediate action must be taken by our state government to implement more equitable tolling arrangements across our motorway network as well as to introduce time of day tolling on the M4 that will generate funds for completing the M4 East as quickly as possible" Charles said.
"I want planning for the M4 East to proceed as a matter of urgency and the other competing priorities, such as the duplication of the M5 East and the construction of the M2 - F3 link be directed to the private sector to fund. Unlike the M4 East that will require substantial funding from all i.e. federal, state and private sectors, the other projects require significantly less total spend and may be able to be accommodated by the private sector through clever funding mechanisms" Charles said.