Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes today slammed the State Government for failing to accommodate the new Frenchs Forest Hospital in its 10 year Metropolitan Transport Plan.

With the Metropolitan Transport Plan designed to address Sydney’s future transport needs, Rob Stokes is furious that the State Government has failed to include the transport improvements required for the new hospital at Frenchs Forest.

“The failure of the State Government to plan ahead for the future transport needs of the Frenchs Forest Hospital is either complete incompetence or something more sinister”, Rob Stokes said today.

“The Metropolitan Transport Plan is designed to address Sydney’s future transport needs and yet the Frenchs Forest Hospital doesn’t even get a mention.

“There’s no denying that major transport improvements will be needed to ensure Pittwater residents can access the new hospital – so why aren’t these being planned for?

“The fact that this is a 10 year plan and the Frenchs Forest Hospital isn’t even mentioned raises serious questions over Labor’s long-term plans for health services on the northern beaches.

“How can the government expect anyone to believe they’re still committed to the Frenchs Forest Hospital if essential transport planning is being ignored?

 “Currently, someone wishing to travel by public transport from Mona Vale to Frenchs Forest has to catch two separate buses and endure a journey of over an hour each way.

 “These are the types of challenges which reinforce the need to maintain Mona Vale Hospital.

“Regular and direct bus services from Pittwater to Frenchs Forest are going to be essential if the new hospital is to work and the government must start planning for these now” Rob Stokes concluded.