STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr LEESER (Berowra) (16:36): New Line road is the worst bottleneck in my electorate. It's the main link for suburbs to the north and west of Pennant Hills Road. With 9,300 new homes owned by the Labor government right in the middle of it, this is only going to get worse.

Recently, I brought together leaders from local schools, churches, seniors groups, businesses and community organisations to discuss safety and congestion on New Line Road. One community leader told me that the traffic banks up all the way to Kenthurst in the morning. He said, 'Heavy vehicles are increasing, and it's getting worse every year.' Another told me driving New Line road is 'pretty dangerous' for older residents.

Some now arrive late to Wednesday activities rather than driving through the peak. A church leader described Sunday congestion spilling across neighbouring school grounds and blocking driveways. He said that the road itself remains unfit for purpose.

Friday nights on New Line Road are a problem for families with young children going to athletics. Drivers are bypassing tolls on NorthConnex and pouring through residential areas. Under the coalition government, I secured $10 million to plan the roads upgrade.

The Perrottet government committed $70 million to widen the road. Yet, since Labor came to power, that funding has vanished. That's why I'm running a petition to send the message that we need an upgrade of New Line Road now.

And I encourage everyone in my community who is affected by New Line Road—who knows what it's like to be stuck in traffic and who knows how unsafe it is—to sign my petition today.