I REFER to the article, “Silence leaves vital projects in limbo” (Australian Financial Review, August 23, 2013, page 5) that lists the realignment upgrade of the Gay Way down the killer Bolivia Hill to Tenterfield as one of the projects that the Coalition will refuse to fund should it win the 2013 federal election.
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The Bolivia Hill has a collection of permanent monuments to the victims of this narrow and dangerous road that successive governments have ignored.
Then there are the numerous painted reminders that are removed by RMS staff to obfuscate their ongoing lack of maintenance and upgrade.
Three years ago an Armidale lad was killed on the Bolivia Hill and his friends petitioned Tony Windsor, independent MP representing New England, for funding. This action achieved $80 million for an upgrade to four divided lanes.
Now the Coalition is threatening to remove this funding, likely as punishment for having the temerity to vote for a representative in federal parliament.
There is little doubt that a vote for any National Party candidate will guarantee that this vital project is again ignored, as the party pursues their preferred 19th century future for our electorate.
Certainly, the Bolivia Hill funding shows that independents get things done for their communities.
JACK ARNOLD
ARMIDALE
Mr Arnold is not a member of any political party.
