Region. Local man worked on Christie report

Alex Gooding, a former executive director, of the lobby group, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) was an author of the Christie Report, an independent report on Sydney’s transport plans, partly financed by The Sydney Morning Herald. “Extensive experience in research and advocacy involving transport needs in Western Sydney, plus qualifications in social studies and urban planning, have given him a unique insight into the complex relationship between land use and transport and the social, environmental and economic consequences for Sydney of continued under-investment in infrastructure,” the report noted. Mr Gooding was WSROC’s executive director for 12 years.

Region. Premier considers Christie report

Premier, Kristina Keneally, has told the treasury and transport departments to study the recommendations of the 450-page Christie independent inquiry into Sydney's public transport. Shegave the strongest indication yet that the $5.3 billion CBD Metro could be sidelined to focus on heavy rail to the north-west and light rail in the city in her government's upcoming transport blueprint, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Mr Christie argues instead of creating an entirely new public transport system, the government should spend $36 billion on capital investment in new rail, light rail, buses and just one metro over 30 years.

Region. Ron Christie's transport plan

Sydney’s transport plan, prepared by Ron Christie and an independent expert team with the backing of The Sydney Morning, has urged an immediate start on two heavy rail lines: a $3.7 billion line, linking Epping station and Rouse Hill in the north-west; and a $1.3 billion line joining Glenfield station to Leppington in the south-west. Other lines include a $2 billion rail line from Epping to Parramatta via Carlingford, beginning in 2013; a $2 billion heavy rail line directly connecting Bankstown and Liverpool, beginning around 2017; and light rail lines, costed at about $600 million, based around the key centres of Parramatta, Bankstown, Lidcombe and Liverpool.