Charles Casuscelli MP - Member for Strathfield

Burwood Council will receive a $1 million boost to its $11.5 million infrastructure and works budget thanks to a generous loan subsidy from the NSW Government's Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme.

Member for Strathfield Charles Casuscelli has mixed feelings about the 40 kph speed limits that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and Burwood Council are introducing in Burwood Town Centre to improve pedestrian safety.

The reduced speed limits are being installed in areas which have high levels of pedestrian activity and include areas around Burwood railway station, the shops along Burwood Road and the Westfield shopping centre.

Charles said: "Of course I support road safety initiatives, but imposing greater restrictions on the majority of motorists that do the right thing is not the answer, reducing speed limits does not affect the behaviors of the negligent, criminal or anti-social members of our community.

"I am concerned that we appear to have forgotten that roads are there for the movement of traffic, they are unsafe for pedestrians that do the wrong thing, we should not be sending messages that roads are safer and more forgiving if you do the wrong thing.

"Burwood road is a main thoroughfare for cars and public transport and imposing speed restrictions from 50 kph to 40 kph at time when there is little pedestrian activity such as outside of business hours makes little sense, but I understand that we need to strike a balance between traffic movement efficiency and safety.

"I understand that lower speeds improve a motorist's ability to stop and if a pedestrian crash does occur, it is likely to be less severe.

"Given the relatively high number of crashes in the area I will support this initiative for the time being and I have asked Roads and Maritime Services to report to me on how the scheme performs, I will keep a close watch on its effects to our community.

A 40km/h speed limit will be installed on sections of Burwood Road, Comer Street, Park Avenue, Dunns Lane, Victoria Street, Elsie Street, John Street, George Street, Railway Crescent, Railway Parade, Wynne Avenue, Clarendon Place, Belmore Street, Sym Avenue, Sym Lane, Livingstone Street, Meryla Street, Wilga Street, Webbs Lane, Youth Lane, Mary Street, Marmaduke Street, Waimea Street, Deane Street, Ford Lane, Burleigh Street, Elizabeth Street, Pilchers Lane and Clarence Street.

"The new 40km/h speed limits are enforceable, so when you're on these roads make sure you obey the new speed limit" Charles concluded.

Members of the community can sign up at the Safer Roads NSW website to receive updates about changes to permanent speed limits in their nominated area and have their say on speed limit

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.

Co-chair of the Korean Ministerial Consultative Committee (MCC) and Member for Strathfield, Charles Casuscelli RFD MP, welcomed the Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian MP to its June meeting held at Parliament House on Thursday 21 June 2012.

The Committee was excited that during a time when NSW was undergoing the most significant reform of the state's transport the Minister took time to discuss issues that are of importance to the Korean Community.

"Minister Berejiklian is one of the most courageous and determined Ministers to take on the very many challenges to fix transport in our state," Charles said. "She has achieved much in the brief period of time she has been on the job with the promise of more reform and improvements in our transport system.

"I am proud to be associated with this Government and to be a close friend of the Minister."

Minister Berejiklian was pleased with the opportunity to hold discussions with members of the Korean Ministerial Consultative Committee.

"I am delighted to see the hard work and dedication of Committees like yours that represent the interests of your community," Minister Berejiklian said. "I also have a growing Korean community in my electorate of Willoughby but nowhere as big as in Strathfield or Eastwood. I acknowledge the support and assistance from Charles in shaping transport policy in our state."

Minister Berejiklian gave both a presentation and hosted a question and answer time to allow the Korean representatives to decide which issues were discussed. International student safety on public transport, community transport, along with the issue of public transport travel concessions for international students were all key points of discussion.

Two members of the Korean Medical Students Association spoke to the Committee about a proposal to provide the Korean Community with general health advice at future events such as the Strathfield Spring Festival. The Committee agreed to support them.

The Committee also discussed a range of issues including:

- Major Korean events that should be supported by Government and the community.

- Korean Language education.

- Korean participation in the Sydney International Food Festival.

- NSW and Seoul Sister City Relationship.

- Korean Community Centre.

Charles thanked the members of the Committee for their contribution.

"I am extremely pleased with the commitment and energy expressed by members of this committee. I am confident that with their passion we will be able to raise the profile of the Korean culture to new levels" Charles concluded.