Shooters, Fishers and Farmers say building a freeway to the bush should be an election issue

Mrs Quealy has called on the NSW Premier to commit to building a freeway across the Blue Mountains connecting Sydney with the western region of the state. 

“In 2007 the National Party promised a Bells Line Expressway, a high-speed route over the mountains. More than a decade down the track we’ve seen nothing,” she said.

“We keep hearing about how families should move to the regions.

“Why would families move to regional Australia when it costs up to $500 to fly to Sydney, or if it takes a day to drive to the east coast on dangerous and poorly maintained roads."

The Coalition government announced in June that $95 million would be spent on upgrades to the Bells Line of Road, but they have given no commitment to building an expressway.

Mrs Quealy said former NSW Labor leader Luke Foley indicated an expressway would never be built because it’s not economically viable. 

“But when current Labor leader Michael Daley was roads minister he said the Bells Line of Road was an important consideration for the Government, what he thinks now is anyone’s guess,” she said. “It makes sense to fund transport infrastructure and support regional businesses.

“Our taxes will subsidise the re-building of two Sydney stadiums.

“But when it comes to a major nation-building freeway for the bush, the bean counters say it’s not worth it; we need to ensure electorates like Dubbo, are easily accessible to the east coast and stop the exodus of our young people to Sydney.”