Secret documents: Iron Cove Bridge cost blow out

"This is another bungled road project. The RTA's obsession with secrecy has delivered further embarrassment for the government and more poor transport outcomes for the public," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The documents were only released to the public following the passing of a motion by the NSW Upper House.

"One of the unsavoury aspects of this project is how the government excluded the public from having any meaningful input.

"We now know that the RTA signed a detailed building contract for the new bridge in November 2007, before the project had been put out for public consultation.

"This new material reveals escalating costs and financial mismanagement by the RTA on a project of dubious benefit for the public.

"The builder for the Iron Cove Bridge duplication, Baulderstone, received an additional $10 million on top of the $116.5 million original payment.

"Over the past six years this company has donated $71,000 to NSW Labor.

"The original contract listed $22 million for consultant fees but this increased by nearly $5 million.
 
"The government should do a rapid u-turn, cancel the project and invest in quality public transport if it wants to get Victoria Road moving.

"The government has attempted to muddy the waters on this bridge expansion by calling it the Inner West Busway project but that does not trick anyone. This is a road expansion project and these documents have exposed more government mismanagement of Sydney's transport needs.

"Today the NSW Upper House will consider a Greens motion to release more secret documents on the Iron Cove Bridge duplication project that Justice Sir Laurence Street recommends should be made available to the public," Ms Rhiannon said.

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