Very Cross City!

The Greens opposition to the tunnel is consistent with our broader campaign against the Government's obsession with building motorways at the expense of a fast, efficient, fully funded public transport system.

The Government's deal with the Cross City Tunnel motorway consortium has been shrouded in secrecy. In 2003 The Greens were successful in getting some of the Cross City Tunnel documents tabled in NSW Parliament.

We researched the impact on air quality, consulting with experts and community groups, and called on the Government to come clean about the ventilation systems used in the tunnel.

We worked with local communities and local businesses who were concerned about the impact that the tunnel and forced road closures would have on thier lives, conducted our own traffic studies, and continued to lobby for more spending on public transport to fix Sydney's traffic problems.

Once the tunnel opened in August 2005 the 'Very Cross City' campaign took hold with the public.

The Greens pushed the RTA on the accuracy of the traffic volumes presented at the Spring 2005 Budget Estimates hearings

Lee Rhiannon met with local business owners to discuss the impact of road closures on their community. Many small businesses agreed to put up the Greens' VERY CROSS CITY posters in their shopfront windows.

The message was write to the Premier and "tell him why you are cross."

 Lee also called on Roads Minister Joe Tripodi to publicly disclose the deal the government cut with the Cross City Tunnel operators .

The issue continues to hot up. The Greens are currently preparing for the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Cross City Tunnel Deal. We continue to protest the tunnel and the deal that has become a disaster for motorists, future public transport planning, the amenity of local residents and businesses, good government and the taxpayer.