Premier Mike Baird has promised that if re-elected on March 28 his government will look into the feasibility of developing the Spring Farm road as an alternative link between Campbelltown and Camden-Narellan.
Mr Baird was answering a question from the mayor of Campbelltown, Paul Lake, who explained to the premier that the current widening of Narellan Road will not be sufficient to cater to the increasing flows of traffic in the booming Macarthur region.
The premier was the guest speaker at an Ingleburn Chamber of Commerce event held at lunch on Friday at Wests Leagues Club. Campbelltown City Council was event partner.
During his speech the premier hailed his government’s infrastructure credentials and specifically mentioned how the South West Rail Link had been completed a year ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget.
In his question to the premier, Cr Lake suggested some of that $300 million may be used to finance construction of the Spring Farm road link.
“That’s why he’s the mayor,’’ Mr Baird said.
The premier, who is noted for his charm, was in fine form in the Wests Leagues Club auditorium before more than 225 south west Sydney identities, from the fireworks kings the Fotis, to legal luminaries such as Jim Marsden, sports academy chief Gerry Knights, industry captains Kevin and Julie O’Keefe of Macarthur Engineering and many more. Marketing guru Steve Wisbey was master of ceremonies.
Local MP Bryan Doyle was there at the premier’s side and nearby their candidate in Macquarie Fields, Pat Farmer, was also in attendance.
Mr Baird’s charm offensive easily dealt with even a curly question from opponents of coal seam gas. The small group, holding placards, had set up a demonstration on the corner of Old Leumeah Road and Pembroke Road while waiting for the premier to arrive.
He even told a couple of jokes, both family oriented in that it involved his children. Mr Baird said his young son had developed a very good pick up line: My father’s the premier.
The audience loved it, so he told another one, this time one of his kids saying: my father is the prisoner of NSW.
If elections were won on charm alone, Mr Baird would be a shoo-in on that last Saturday of March.
Just after 2pm, once the last question was answered, the Baird charm offensive was on the move.
Its next target was awaiting at Casula Mall.
