The NSW government has denied major planning projects need more public scrutiny following a pledge by Labor that projects over $1 billion would undergo a public inquiry if the party wins the next election.
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Opposition Leader Michael Daley on Monday promised to set up public planning inquiries into all major infrastructure projects - such as the light rail - before they are approved or work begins.
The inquiries would look at the feasibility of all options and could call witnesses to give evidence, with reports and proceedings made public.
Inquiries into the impact of the government's controversial light rail and WestConnex projects are under way in NSW parliament.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance labelled the pledge a "hairbrained idea" and denied major projects needed more oversight as Infrastructure NSW already provided independent assurance.
In its last term of government, the Liberal Party has delivered 600 projects, 36 in excess of the $1 billion mark, all of which had passed through Infrastructure NSW, Mr Constance told reporters.
"Under Michael Daley's plan that means that there would be years of public inquiry into those 36 projects," he said.
'We don't need a state of inquiry, we just need to stay the course and continue to build one of the most incredible infrastructure programs that this state's seen since Bradfield."
Australian Associated Press
